Surface cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a hand vacuum cleaner, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit. The hand vacuum cleaner has a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly and a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface. The hand vacuum cleaner also has a cyclone unit provided on a front end of the main body, the cyclone unit comprising a cyclone chamber having a cyclone axis of rotation. The rigid air flow conduit extends between a cleaning head air outlet and a hand vacuum cleaner air inlet and has a longitudinally extending conduit axis which is parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/822,211, filed Aug. 10, 2015, which claimed priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/093,189, filed Dec. 17, 2014,the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of surface cleaning apparatus. Insome aspects, this disclosure relates to a type of stick vacuum cleanerwherein a hand vacuum cleaner is removably mounted to a drive handle andprovides motive power to draw dirty air into the surface cleaning head.

INTRODUCTION

Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. These includeupright vacuum cleaner, stick vacuum cleaners, hand vacuum cleaners andcanister vacuum cleaners. Stick vacuum cleaners and hand vacuum cleanersare popular as they tend to be smaller and may be used to clean a smallarea or when a spill has to be cleaned up. Hand vacuum cleaners orhandvacs are advantageous as they are lightweight and permit above floorcleaning and cleaning in hard to reach locations. However, they have alimited dirt collection capacity. Upright vacuum cleaners enable a userto clean a floor and may be have a pod that is removably attached forabove floor cleaning. In such cases, the pod comprises, e.g., a cyclone,a dirt collection chamber and the suction motor for the upright vacuumcleaner. However, such the pods tend to be bulky since they comprise thetotal dirt collection capacity for the upright vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a stick vacuum cleaneris provided which has a removable hand vacuum cleaner and also asupplemental bin which may function as a main dirt collection bin whenthe hand vacuum cleaner forms part of the stick vacuum cleaners. Anadvantage of this design is that the supplemental bin may provideenhanced dirt collection capacity for the stick vacuum cleaner. Thesupplemental bin may be removable so as to reduce the size of the stickvacuum cleaner when a smaller sized stick vacuum cleaner is desired,e.g., for cleaning in small or confined spaces.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a multimode surfacecleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet;    -   (b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning        head, the upright section moveable between a plurality of        reclined floor cleaning positions;    -   (c) a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to the upright        section, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclone chamber, a        dirt collection region, a suction motor and a clean air outlet;        and,    -   (d) an auxiliary dirt collection assembly removably mounted to        the upright section    -   wherein, in a first upright mode of operation, the auxiliary        dirt collection assembly is removed from the upright section and        the hand vacuum cleaner is in airflow communication with the        dirty air inlet and, in a second upright mode of operation, the        multimode surface cleaning apparatus is operable with the        auxiliary dirt collection assembly mounted to the upright        section.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may comprisea dirt collection chamber and when the auxiliary dirt collectionassembly is mounted to the upright section, dirt separated in thecyclone chamber is collectable in the dirt collection chamber of theauxiliary dirt collection assembly.

In some embodiments, when the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may bemounted to the upright section, the dirt collection chamber of theauxiliary dirt collection assembly is selectively connectable incommunication with the dirt collection region of the hand vacuumcleaner.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, the dirtcollection region of the hand vacuum cleaner may be positioned above thedirt collection chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly.

In some embodiments, the cyclone chamber may have a dirt outlet and thedirt collection region comprises a dirt collection chamber of the handvacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may have a manuallyopenenable dumping door and the dirt collection chamber of the auxiliarydirt collection assembly may be in communication with the dirtcollection chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner when the dumping door isopened.

In some embodiments, when the auxiliary dirt collection assembly ismounted to the upright section, the dirt collection chamber of theauxiliary dirt collection assembly may be automatically connected incommunication with a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, the dirtcollection region of the hand vacuum cleaner may be positioned above thedirt collection chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region of the hand vacuumcleaner may be in communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonechamber and the dirt collection region may have a dumping door that isautomatically opened when the auxiliary dirt collection assembly ismounted to the upright section and the dirt collection chamber of theauxiliary dirt collection assembly is in communication with the dirtcollection region of the hand vacuum cleaner when the dumping door isopened.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may comprisea cyclone chamber and a dirt collection region.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, thecyclone chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may beconnected in series with the cyclone chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, thecyclone chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may beconnected in parallel with the cyclone chamber of the hand vacuumcleaner.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, thecyclone chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner may be bypassed and airexiting the cyclone chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assemblypasses through a pre-motor filter of the hand vacuum cleaner, thesuction motor and exits via the clean air outlet of the hand vacuumcleaner.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may furthercomprise a pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, thecyclone chamber of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may beconnected in parallel with the cyclone chamber of the hand vacuumcleaner.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, thecyclone chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner and a pre-motor filter of thehand vacuum cleaner may be bypassed and air exiting the cyclone chamberof the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may pass through the pre-motorfilter of the auxiliary dirt collection assembly, the suction motor andexits via the clean air outlet of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may furthercomprise an auxiliary dirt collection assembly suction motor.

In some embodiments, in the second upright mode of operation, at least aportion of air entering the dirty air inlet may bypass the hand vacuumcleaner and exit via an alternate clean air outlet.

In some embodiments, the alternate clean air outlet may be provided onthe auxiliary dirt collection assembly.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may have a handle and, whenthe multimode surface cleaning apparatus is in the first and secondupright modes of operation, the handle may be a drive handle of themultimode surface cleaning apparatus.

In some embodiments, the upright section may comprise an up flow ductand the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may be removably mounted tothe up flow duct.

In some embodiments, the up flow duct may comprise a rigid extensioncleaning wand and the rigid extension cleaning wand may be removablefrom one of the upright section and the surface cleaning head and, in afirst above floor mode of operation, an above floor cleaning unit maycomprise the hand vacuum cleaner and the rigid extension cleaning wand.

In some embodiments, the up flow duct may comprise a rigid tube, thehand vacuum cleaner may have a handle and, the hand vacuum cleaner mayhave an air inlet that is drivingly engageable with the rigid tubewhereby, when the multimode surface cleaning apparatus is in the firstand second upright modes of operation, the handle may be a drive handleof the multimode surface cleaning apparatus.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may have alongitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the up flow duct.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may comprisea cyclone chamber having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallelto the up flow duct.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may be provided on a rearportion of the upright section and the auxiliary dirt collectionassembly may be provided on a front portion of the upright section.

In some embodiments, the upright section may comprise an up flow ductand the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may be removably mounted to afront side of the up flow duct and a portion of the hand vacuum cleanermay be positioned rearward of the up flow duct.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned rearward of theup flow duct.

In some embodiments, the upright section may comprise a lower portionand an upper portion and the upper section may be moveable forwardlyrelative to the lower section and the auxiliary dirt collection assemblymay be removably mounted to the lower section.

In some embodiments, the upright section may comprise an up flow ducthaving a lower portion and an upper portion and the upper section may bemoveable forwardly relative to the lower section and the auxiliary dirtcollection assembly may be removably mounted to the lower section.

In some embodiments, the up flow duct may comprise a rigid tube, thehand vacuum cleaner may have a handle and, the hand vacuum cleaner mayhave an air inlet that is drivingly engageable with the rigid tubewhereby, when the multimode surface cleaning apparatus is in the firstand second upright modes of operation, the handle may be a drive handleof the multimode surface cleaning apparatus.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with asupplemental dirt collection chamber partially removed;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 with anelectrical cord bag;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is an exploded front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.5;

FIG. 12a is an exploded front perspective view of an alternate apparatusof FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 with asupplemental cyclone bin assembly partially removed;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of a handvac of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assemblyof the handvac of FIG. 22 transverse to the cyclone axis;

FIG. 23a is a top plan view of the cross-section of FIG. 23;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the supplemental dirt collectionchamber of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in alightweight upright mode;

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in anabove-floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in theabove-floor cleaning mode of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in theabove-floor cleaning mode of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in astair-cleaning mode;

FIG. 35 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in thestair-cleaning mode of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the staircleaning mode of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36a is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in anabove-floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in alightweight upright mode;

FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 42 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 43 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in thelightweight upright mode of FIG. 37;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44-44 in FIG. 37;

FIG. 44a is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in anabove-floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 44b is another perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in theabove-floor cleaning mode of FIG. 44 a;

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the supplemental dirt collectionchamber of FIG. 24;

FIG. 46 is a side elevation view of the supplemental dirt collectionchamber of FIG. 24;

FIG. 47 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 48-48 in FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a cross-section view taken along line 49-49 in FIG. 47;

FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 47;

FIG. 51 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 47;

FIG. 52 is a front perspective view of an upright section of theapparatus of FIG. 13 including a diversion valve in a closed position;

FIG. 53 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 52with a cyclone bin assembly seated on a pedal of the diversion valve;

FIG. 54 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 52with the cyclone bin assembly connected to a wand, and the diversionvalve in the open position;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55-55 in FIG. 52;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 56-56 in FIG. 53;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 57-57 in FIG. 54;

FIG. 58 is a front perspective view of an upright section of theapparatus of FIG. 13 including another diversion valve in a closedposition

FIG. 59 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 58with the cyclone bin assembly being connected to a wand, and thediversion valve in the closed position;

FIG. 60 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 58with the cyclone bin assembly connected to the wand, and the diversionvalve in the open position

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 61-61 in FIG. 58;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 62-62 in FIG. 59;

FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 63-63 in FIG. 60;

FIG. 64 is a front perspective view of an upright section of theapparatus of FIG. 13 including another diversion valve in a closedposition;

FIG. 65 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 64with the diversion valve in a partially opened position;

FIG. 66 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 64mounted to the wand with the diversion valve in an open position;

FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view of the upright section of FIG. 64;

FIG. 68 is another cross-sectional view of the upright section of FIG.64;

FIG. 69 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 70-70 in FIG. 65;

FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 71-71 in FIG. 66;

FIG. 72 is a front perspective view of an upright section of theapparatus of FIG. 13 with another diversion valve in a closed position;

FIG. 73 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 72being connected to the wand and with the diversion valve in a closedposition;

FIG. 74 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 72connected to the wand and with the diversion valve in an open position;

FIG. 75 is a cross-section view taken along line 75-75 in FIG. 72;

FIG. 76 is a cross-section view taken along line 76-76 in FIG. 73;

FIG. 77 is a cross-section view taken along line 77-77 in FIG. 74;

FIG. 78 is a side elevation view of the handvac of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 79 is a side elevation view of the handvac of the apparatus of FIG.5;

FIG. 80 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in anupright storage position with a surface cleaning head having rearwardlydeployed wheels;

FIG. 81 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 80 in areclined in-use position with the rear wheels of the surface cleaninghead retracted;

FIG. 82 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 with acyclone bin assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 83 is a rear perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG.82 in a closed position;

FIG. 84 is a side elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 82in a closed position;

FIG. 85 is a front elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 82in a closed position;

FIG. 86 is a front elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 82with a cyclone chamber portion in an open position;

FIG. 87 is a front elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 82with the cyclone chamber portion and a dirt collection portion in openpositions;

FIG. 88 is a top perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 82with the cyclone chamber portion and the dirt collection portion in openpositions;

FIG. 89 is a front perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of theapparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 90 is a rear perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG.89;

FIG. 91 is a front elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG.89;

FIG. 92 is a rear elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 89;

FIG. 93 is a side elevation view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 89;

FIG. 94 is a top plan view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 89;

FIG. 95 is a bottom plan view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 89;

FIG. 95b is a front perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG.89 with a bottom portion in an open position;

FIG. 95c is a front perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG.89 with top and bottom portions in open positions;

FIG. 96 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 96-96 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 97a is a bottom perspective view of the handvac of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 97b is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 97 b-97 b ofFIG. 97 a;

FIG. 98a is a bottom perspective view of the handvac of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 with an open door;

FIG. 98b a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 98 b-98 b ofFIG. 98 a;

FIG. 99 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surface cleaningapparatus having a handvac disconnected from the upright section, and abypass valve in a first closed position;

FIG. 100 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 99 having a handvac connected to the upright section and the bypassvalve in the first closed position;

FIG. 101 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 99 having the handvac connected to the upright section and asupplementary cyclone bin assembly, and the bypass valve in a secondopen position;

FIG. 102 is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a having a bypass airflow path and a pre-motor filter in asupplemental cyclone bin assembly;

FIG. 103 is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a clean air suction motor in a surface cleaning head;

FIG. 104a is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a having a clean air suction motor in a supplemental cyclone binassembly;

FIG. 104b is a cross-sectional view of another surface cleaningapparatus having a clean air suction motor in a supplemental cyclone binassembly;

FIG. 105a is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus having asupplemental cyclone bin assembly disconnected from an upright section;

FIG. 105b is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus having acyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber disconnected from an uprightsection;

FIG. 106 is a side elevation view a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 107 is a partial side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 106with a handvac disconnected from an upright section;

FIG. 108 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 106 in areclined in-use position with an arm assembly in a first position;

FIG. 109 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 106 in asteeply reclined in-use position with the arm assembly in a secondposition;

FIG. 110a is a rear perspective view of the handvac of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 110b is a front perspective view of the handvac of FIG. 110a in theopen position;

FIG. 111 is a front perspective view of the dirt collection chamber ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 112 is a rear perspective view of the dirt collection chamber ofFIG. 111 in the open position;

FIG. 113 is a side elevation view of the dirt collection chamber of FIG.111 in the open position;

FIG. 114 is a front perspective view of the upright section of theapparatus of FIG. 5 with a cyclone bin assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 115 is a front perspective view of the upright section of FIG. 114with the cyclone bin assembly in an open position;

FIG. 116 is a cross-sectional view of the handvac of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 having a pre-motor filter chamber in an open position;

FIG. 117 is a exploded view of the handvac of FIG. 116;

FIG. 118 is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a plurality of cyclone chambers in parallel;

FIG. 119a is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a dirty air suction motor in a surface cleaning head in serieswith a clean air suction motor in a handvac;

FIG. 119b is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 119a with a supplemental cyclone bin assembly removed;

FIG. 120 is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a clean air suction motor in a surface cleaning head in serieswith a clean air suction motor in a handvac;

FIG. 121a is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving a clean air suction motor in a supplemental cyclone bin assemblyin series with a clean air suction motor in a handvac;

FIG. 121b is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 121a with a hose connecting the handvac suction motor and thesuction motor of the supplemental cyclone bin assembly;

FIG. 122 is a cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning apparatushaving an airflow which bypasses the handvac;

FIG. 123 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 124 is an exploded perspective view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 123;

FIG. 125 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 125-125 in FIG. 123;

FIG. 126 is enlarged partial view of FIG. 125; and

FIG. 127 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 126.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widelyapplicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from thedisclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thepresent invention may be practiced with modification and alterationwithout departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Althoughparticular features of the present invention may be described withreference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should beunderstood that such features are not limited to usage in the one ormore particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they aredescribed.

The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “theembodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “someembodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all)embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. Alisting of items does not imply that any or all of the items aremutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,”“an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be“coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts arejoined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., throughone or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As usedherein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directlycoupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directlyfastened” where the parts are connected directly in physical contactwith each other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be“rigidly coupled”, “rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, or “rigidlyfastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one whilemaintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of theterms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish themanner in which two or more parts are joined together.

General Overview

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown inaccordance with a first embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the surfacecleaning apparatus 100 is a type of upright vacuum cleaner which isreferred to as a stick vacuum cleaner. As illustrated, surface cleaningapparatus 100 includes a surface cleaning head 104, an upright section108, and a hand-carriable vacuum cleaner 112 (also referred to ashandvac or hand vacuum cleaner 112).

Upright section 108 may be movably and drivingly connected to surfacecleaning head 104. For example, upright section 108 may be permanentlyor removably connected to surface cleaning head 104 and moveably mountedthereto for movement from a storage position to an in use position, suchas by a pivotable joint 116. Joint 116 may permit upright section 108 topivot (i.e. rotate) with respect to surface cleaning head 104 about ahorizontal axis. Accordingly, upright section 108 may be rotatablerearwardly so as to be positionable in a plurality of reclined floorcleaning positions (see for example FIGS. 81 and 108).

Upright section 108 may also be steeringly connected to surface cleaninghead 104 for maneuvering surface cleaning head 104. For example, joint116 may be a swivel joint.

Handvac 112 may be removably connected to upright section 108. Whenmounted to upright section 108, a user may grasp handvac 112 tomanipulate upright section 108 to steer surface cleaning head 104 acrossa surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, when handvac 112 is mounted toupright section 108, handle 484 is the drive handle of surface cleaningapparatus 100

Surface cleaning apparatus 100 has at least one dirty air inlet, oneclean air outlet, and an airflow path extending between the inlet andthe outlet. In the illustrated example, lower end 120 of surfacecleaning head 104 includes a dirty air inlet 124, and a rear end 128 ofhandvac 112 includes a clean air outlet 132. An airflow path extendsfrom dirty air inlet 124 through surface cleaning head 104, uprightsection 108, and handvac 112 to clean air outlet 132.

As exemplified, at least one suction motor, and preferably the onlysuction motor, and one air treatment member, which may be the only airtreatment member, is provided in the handvac 112 to permit handvac 112to operate independently when disconnected from surface cleaning head104 and optionally from upright section 108. It will be appreciated thatwhile at least one suction motor and at least one air treatment memberare positioned in the airflow path to separate dirt and other debrisfrom the airflow, that when used with other aspects disclosed herein,each of the suction motor and the air treatment member may be providedin the surface cleaning head 104, the upright section 108, and/or thehandvac 112.

The air treatment member may be any suitable air treatment member,including, for example, one or more cyclones, filters, and bags.Preferably, at least one air treatment member is provided upstream ofthe suction motor to clean the dirty air before the air passes throughthe suction motor. In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 112 includes acyclone bin assembly 136 including a cyclone chamber and a dirtcollection region. In some embodiments, the dirt collection region maybe a portion (e.g., a lower portion) of the cyclone chamber. In otherembodiments, the dirt collection region may be a dirt collection chamberthat is separated from the cyclone chamber by a dirt outlet of thecyclone chamber. Plurality of Dirt Collection Chambers

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used byitself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a stick surface cleaning apparatus may have more than onedirt collection chamber. For example, the handvac may include a firstdirt collection chamber, and the upright section may include a seconddirt collection chamber. The second dirt collection chamber provides thesurface cleaning apparatus with an enlarged dirt collection capacity incomparison with the dirt collection capacity of the handvac alone.Accordingly, the surface cleaning apparatus may operate for longerintervals before one or more of the dirt collection chambers needs to beemptied.

In accordance with this aspect, and as exemplified in FIG. 4, uprightsection 108 may have an auxiliary dirt collection assembly 140, whichmay comprise or consist of an auxiliary dirt collection chamber 141. Forexample, the auxiliary dirt collection chamber 140 may be the onlycomponent provided in the auxiliary dirt collection assembly andtherefore the auxiliary dirt collection chamber 140 may be the auxiliarydirt collection assembly. Alternately, as disclosed in alternateembodiments, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly may also include oneor more of a pre-motor filter, one or more cyclone chambers that mayhave one or more associated dirt collection chambers and a suctionmotor.

As illustrated, up flow duct 144 (also referred to as a wand ifremovable for use, e.g., in an above floor cleaning mode as exemplifiedin FIGS. 33 and 44 a) may define the airflow path between surfacecleaning head 104 and handvac 112. Auxiliary dirt collection chamber 140may be a supplemental dirt collection chamber that is selectivelymounted to up flow duct 144 and augments the dirt collection capacity ofsurface cleaning apparatus 100 when mounted to upper section 108.

It will be appreciated that if up flow duct 144 is the member thatsupports handvac 112 when auxiliary dirt collection assembly 140 isremoved, the up flow duct is designed to be load supporting and may be arigid tube. Further if the up flow duct is removable to function as anabove floor cleaning wand, then the up flow duct may also be a rigidtube. In other embodiments, e.g., the up flow duct is not a loadsupporting member, then all or a portion of up flow duct 144 may beflexible, such as a flexible hose.

As exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 21, the dirt collection assembly 140 ofthe upright section 108 may collect at least a portion of the dirtseparated from the dirty airflow by the handvac 112. Accordingly, thedirt collection assembly 140 of the upright section 108 may be incommunication with the dirt collection chamber of handvac 112 all or aportion of the time when the handvac 112 is mounted to the uprightsection 108. For example, the dirt collection chamber of handvac 112 mayhave a door that automatically opens when handvac 112 is mounted to theupright section 108. Accordingly, dirt separated by handvac 112 maytravel to the supplemental dirt collection assembly 140. Alternately,the door may be manually operable by a user. Accordingly, dirt may onlybe transferred to the supplemental dirt collection assembly 140 when auser elects to open the door. Alternately, the supplemental dirtcollection assembly 140 may receive dirt from an auxiliary air treatmentmember, in which case the auxiliary dirt collection assembly maycomprise a housing having both the auxiliary air treatment member andthe auxiliary dirt collection chamber.

The dirt collection chamber of auxiliary dirt collection assembly 140and handvac dirt collection chamber 188 may be of any suitablevolumetric sizes. Preferably, the volumetric storage capacity of thedirt collection chamber of auxiliary dirt collection assembly 140 is atleast equal to the volumetric storage capacity of handvac dirtcollection chamber 188, and more preferably larger than the volumetricstorage capacity of handvac dirt collection chamber 188. For example,the volumetric storage capacity of the dirt collection chamber ofauxiliary dirt collection assembly 140 may be 1-20 times the volumetricstorage capacity of handvac dirt collection chamber 188, more preferably1.5-10 times, and most preferably 3-5 times. In alternative embodiments,the volumetric storage capacity of the dirt collection chamber ofauxiliary dirt collection assembly 140 may be less than that of handvacdirt collection chamber 188.

As exemplified in FIG. 21, handvac 112 may include a cyclone binassembly 136 including one or more cyclone chambers 184 and one or moredirt collection chambers 188. The cyclone chamber or chambers and thedirt collection chamber or chambers may be of any design. Asexemplified, cyclone chamber 184 includes an air inlet 192 in fluidcommunication with wand 144, an air outlet 196 downstream of air inlet192, and a dirt outlet 200 in fluid communication with dirt collectionchamber 188. Suction motor 204 or another suction source may draw dirtyair to enter air inlet 192 and travel cyclonically across cyclonechamber 184 to dirt outlet 200 where dirt is ejected into dirtcollection chamber 188. Afterwards, the air is discharged from cyclonechamber 184 at air outlet 196.

As exemplified in FIGS. 21-23, cyclone bin assembly 136 may includelaterally opposed side walls 208, a top wall 212, a bottom wall 216, afirst end wall 220, and a second end wall 224. As shown, a commoninterior wall 226 may divide cyclone chamber 184 from dirt collectionchamber 188. For example, cyclone chamber 184 may be defined by top wall212 and interior wall 226 which extend between end walls 220 and 224.Top wall 212 and interior wall 226 may be curved to define asubstantially cylindrical or frustroconical sidewall of cyclone chamber184. In alternative embodiments, cyclone chamber 184 may have a sidewallof any other suitable shape that is conducive to cyclonic flow. In somealternative embodiments, interior wall 226 of cyclone chamber 184 may bediscrete from dirt collection chamber 188 instead of forming a commonwall dividing cyclone chamber 184 from dirt collection chamber 188.

Dirt collection chamber 188 may be defined by bottom wall 216, sidewalls 208, and interior wall 226. In some embodiments, bottom wall 216may be openable for fluidly connecting handvac dirt collection chamber188 to supplemental dirt collection assembly 140 of upright section 108.This may permit dirt separated by cyclone chamber 184 and dischargedthrough dirt outlet 200 to move through opened bottom wall 216 andcollect in supplemental dirt collection assembly 140.

Optionally, when the auxiliary dirt collection assembly is mounted toupright section 108, dirt separated in the cyclone chamber iscollectable in the dirt collection chamber of the auxiliary dirtcollection assembly. The auxiliary dirt collection assembly may beselectively connectable in communication with the dirt collection regionof the hand vacuum cleaner by, e.g., an openable door 228 (also referredto as a dumping door). The door may be manually openable, such as by ahandle, or automatically operated, such as when the auxiliary dirtcollection assembly is mounted to upright section 108. In this case,dirt will collect in the handvac 112 and will remain there until door228 is openable so as to allow the collected dirt to transfer tosupplemental dirt collection assembly 140. In the latter case,supplemental dirt collection assembly 140 is automatically connected incommunication with a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber when theauxiliary dirt collection assembly is mounted to upright section 108. Inthis case, dirt will collect in the supplemental dirt collectionassembly 140 when handvac 112 is mounted to the upright section 108.

In the illustrated example, bottom wall 216 includes a door 228, whichmay be a pivotally openable door 228. As shown, door 228 may bepivotally connected to dirt collection chamber 188 by a hinge 232 forrotation about a hinge axis 236. Door 228 may extend forwardly from arear end 240 to a front end 244. Preferably, hinge 232 and hinge axis236 are positioned at rear end 240 of door 228. In alternativeembodiments, hinge 232 and hinge axis 236 may be positioned at front end244 or intermediate front and rear ends 240 and 244.

Door 228 is preferably outwardly pivotal of dirt collection chamber 188.For example, door 228 may be movable between a closed position (FIG. 22)in which door 228 closes bottom wall 216, and an open position (FIG. 21)in which door 228 is rotated away from dirt collection chamber 188 foropening bottom wall 216 to permit dirt to move from handvac dirtcollection chamber 188 to supplemental dirt collection assembly 140. Asshown, in the open position front end 244 of door 228 may be moved awayfrom handvac dirt collection chamber 188.

Hinge axis 236 may have any suitable orientation. In the illustratedexample, hinge axis 236 extends laterally side-to-side of surfacecleaning apparatus 100. Hinge axis 236 may be transverse to one or moreof cyclone axis 248 of cyclone chamber 184, motor axis 252 of suctionmotor 204, or downstream direction 256 through air inlet 192. In theexample shown, hinge axis 236 is perpendicular to cyclone axis 248,motor axis 252, and downstream direction 256. In alternativeembodiments, hinge axis 236 may be substantially parallel to one or moreof cyclone axis 248, motor axis 252, or downstream direction 256.

In some embodiments, door 228 may extend upwardly and forwardly betweenrear end 240 and front end 244. For example, front end 244 may bepositioned closer to cyclone chamber 184 and cyclone axis 248 than rearend 240. When door 228 is opened (FIG. 21), this may provide a bottomopening 260 having a transverse width 264 between cyclone chamber 184and bottom wall 216.

Optionally, the dirt collection region (the dirt collection chamber) ofthe hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the supplemental dirtcollection assembly 140. Accordingly, dirt that is received in the dirtcollection chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner may be transferred by dueto gravity to the supplemental dirt collection assembly 140.Accordingly, for example, dirt outlet 200 may be positioned on a bottomend 268 of cyclone chamber 184 for discharging dirt toward bottom wall216 and opening 260 to be delivered by gravity into supplemental dirtcollection assembly 140 of upright section 108.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 21, 22, and 24. Preferably, when handvac112 is connected to upright section 108, opening 260 is fluidly coupledto an inlet to dirt collection assembly 140. In the illustrated example,door 228 and opening 260 of cyclone bin assembly 136 align with an inlet272 of dirt collection assembly 140. As shown, inlet 272 may be formedas an opening in an upper portion 276 of dirt collection assembly 140.In some embodiments, inlet 272 may include a door (not shown) whichopens automatically and concurrently with door 228. Optionally, the doorof inlet 272 may be biased (e.g. by a spring) to close inlet 272 andseal dirt collection assembly 140 when door 228 is closed or handvac 112is disconnected from upright section 108.

Preferably, opening 260 and inlet 272 of upper portion 276 of dirtcollection assembly 140 are sized and positioned to receive at least aportion of door 228 when door 228 is in the open position. This maypermit door 228 to open outwardly into the open position as shown inFIG. 21.

If door 228 is moveable from the closed position to the open positionautomatically upon connecting handvac 112 to upright section 108, thenhandvac 112 may include an actuator drivingly connected to door 228 tomove door 228 (e.g., pivot door 228 about hinge axis 236) to the openposition when handvac 112 is connected to upright section 108. In theillustrated embodiment, door 228 includes an arm 280 pivotally connectedat hinge 232. As shown, arm 280 may include a lever portion 284 whichextends rearwardly of hinge 232, and which may be depressed to pivotdoor 228 to the open position. Further, dirt collection assembly 140 isshown including an engaging member 288 positioned to align with leverportion 284 of arm 280. In use, engaging member 288 may depress leverportion 284 of arm 280 upon connecting handvac 112 to upright section108 to automatically pivot door 228 into the open position, wherebyopening 260 may be fluidly connected to inlet 272 of supplemental dirtcollection assembly 140. In one aspect, this may permit a user, who hasused handvac 112 when disconnected from upright section 108, toautomatically empty handvac dirt collection chamber 188 by connectinghandvac 112 to upright section 108. Afterwards, handvac 112 may bedisconnected from upright section 108 with an empty dirt collectionchamber 188.

If door 228 is manually moveable from the closed position to the openposition then, as exemplified in FIGS. 97a-b and 98a -b, door 228 may beprovided with an actuator, e.g., a manually operable lever portion 284.Lever portion 284 may extend downwardly from door 228 such that leverportion 284 is user-accessible and user-operable while handvac 112 ismounted to upright section 108. As exemplified, lever portion 284 mayprotrude from the bottom wall 216 of cyclone bin assembly 136 to provideuser-accessibility to lever portion 284.

As exemplified in FIGS. 21, 22, 24, 97 a-b, and 98 a-b, whether door 228is manually or automatically operable, door 228 may be biased to theclosed position. For example, door 228 may be biased for rotation abouthinge axis 236 toward the closed position by a biasing member (notshown), such as a torsion spring. This may permit door 228 to closeautomatically upon disconnecting handvac 112 from upright section 108,to prevent dirt from spilling from dirt collection chamber 188 and topermit immediate use of handvac 112 for cleaning. In alternativeembodiments, door 228 may not be biased toward the closed position. Forexample, door 228 may remain in the open position upon disconnectinghandvac 112 from upright section 108. In such a case, door 228 mayremain open until manually closed. For example, referring to FIGS. 98a-b, door 228 may remain in the open position shown until lever portion284 of arm 280 is user-activated to move door 228 to the closedposition.

Removable Supplemental Dirt Collection Assembly

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus has two or more dirt collectionchambers wherein one of the dirt collection chambers is optionallyremovable, and the surface cleaning apparatus is operable when theremovable dirt collection chamber has been removed. Accordingly, asdiscussed with respect to the previous embodiment, a supplemental dirtcollection chamber may be provided on the up flow duct or wand of astick vacuum cleaner and may be the main dirt collection chamber (e.g.,it may collect most or all of the separated dirt when the stick vacuumcleaner is operated with the supplemental dirt collection chamber inposition). This may be referred to as a large dirt capacity upright modeor a second upright mode of operation.

The supplemental dirt collection chamber may be removable for emptyingand to reconfigure the vacuum to a light weight upright mode or a firstupright mode of operation. Once removed, the vacuum cleaner may beoperable to separate dirt and collect the separated dirt in another dirtcollection chamber (e.g. the handvac dirt collection chamber). Anadvantage of the light weight upright mode is that the size and weightof the vacuum cleaner may be reduced by removal of the supplemental dirtcollection chamber. This may be of assistance when the vacuum cleaner isused to clean around and under furniture, and when the vacuum cleaner isto be carried upstairs.

As exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 4, dirt collection assembly 140 of uprightsection 108 may be removably connected to wand 144 and handvac 112. Thismay permit dirt collection assembly 140 to be removed for emptying, orto operate apparatus 100 in a light weight upright mode. It will beappreciated that, in alternate embodiments, wand 144 and dirt collectionassembly 140 of upright section 108 may be integrally formed orpermanently connected as a one piece assembly.

Dirt collection assembly 140 may be removably mounted to wand 144 in anysuitable fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower end 292 of dirtcollection assembly 140 may be toed onto a lower end 296 of wand 144,and then dirt collection assembly 140 may be pivoted about lower end 292toward wand 144 and held in position by a suitable releasable fasteningmechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 112 may remain in fluidcommunication with wand 144 and surface cleaning head 104 whilesupplemental dirt collection assembly 140 is disconnected from wand 144and removed altogether from apparatus 100. This may permit dirtcollection assembly 140 to be removed (e.g., for emptying or to operateapparatus 100 in a light weight upright mode) without disrupting theoperation of apparatus 100.

Upstream Air Treatment Member

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, an upstream air treatment member may be provided. Theupstream air treatment member may be removably connectable upstream ofthe handvac. For example, the supplemental dirt collection assembly mayhave one or more cyclone chambers associated therewith. Accordingly,when the supplemental dirt collection assembly is positioned on uprightsection 108 (e.g., up flow duct 144), a supplemental cyclone chamberassembly 160 may be connected in series or parallel with the cyclonechamber of the handvac. Accordingly, when operated as an upright vacuum,the surface cleaning apparatus may be a dual cyclonic stage surfacecleaning apparatus. When used in an above floor cleaning mode, thehandvac may be a single cyclonic stage surface cleaning apparatus.Typically, the surface cleaning apparatus may be used as an uprightvacuum cleaner (i.e., with the supplemental cyclonic bin assemblyattached) for cleaning floors. This may represent the majority of areathat is to be cleaned. Therefore, for a majority of the use of thesurface cleaning apparatus, it may be used as a dual stage cyclonicsurface cleaning apparatus.

In accordance with this aspect, the upright section may include a firstair treatment member for separating at least large dirt particles fromthe airflow, and the air treatment member of the handvac may bepositioned downstream of the first air treatment member for separatingsmall dirt particles (“fines”) from the airflow. In this case, thegreatest volume of separated dirt may be collected in the dirtcollection chamber of the upright section, and a lesser volume of finesmay be collected in the dirt collection chamber of the handvac. This mayreduce the rate at which the handvac dirt collection chamber may befilled, and reduce the frequency at which the handvac dirt collectionchamber must be emptied. It will be appreciated that each cyclonic stagemay be of any design and may be designed to remove any type of dirt.

It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, dirt separated by thehandvac may be collected in the supplemental dirt collection assembly.In such a case, the dirt collection region of the handvac may be incommunication (automatically or manually selectively) with a dirtcollection region in the supplemental dirt collection assembly, whichregion may be isolated from the dirt collection chamber for the cyclonicstage of the supplemental cyclone chamber assembly.

It will be appreciated that, if air travels through up flow duct 144 tohandvac 112, when cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected to wand 144, airtravelling through wand 144 may be diverted into cyclone bin assembly160 and returned to wand 144 from cyclone bin assembly 160 downstream ofthe diversion. Optionally, in accordance with another aspect with isdiscussed in more detail subsequently, and which is exemplified in theembodiment of FIGS. 20 and 26, in some embodiments the diversion mayoccur automatically upon mounting of the supplemental cyclone binassembly 160 to upright section 108. For example, cyclone bin assembly160 may include a diversion member 428 which may be positionable in theconduit of wand 144 between the upstream and downstream ends 364 and 360of wand 144. As shown, diversion member 428 may divide wand 144 into anupstream wand portion 440 and a downstream wand portion 444. Diversionmember 428 may form an air-tight seal inside wand 144 for redirectingsubstantially all air travelling through upstream wand portion 440 intoair inlet 316 of cyclone bin assembly 160. In turn, air outlet 320 ofcyclone bin assembly 160 may discharge into downstream wand portion 444for travel downstream to handvac 112.

As exemplified in the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 12, and 25 supplementalcyclone bin assembly 160, 160 may be any suitable cyclone bin assemblyand may include a cyclone chamber 308 and a dirt collection chamber 141.Cyclone chamber 308 may include an air inlet 316 for receiving dirty airfrom the surface cleaning head, e.g., via wand 144, an air outlet 320for discharging air, e.g., to handvac 112, a dirt outlet 324 fordischarging separated dirt into dirt collection chamber 141, a vortexfinder 400 and a cyclone axis 392. Wand 144 may include an upstream end360 connected to surface cleaning head 104, and a downstream end 364connected to air inlet 316 of cyclone chamber 308.

From cyclone bin assembly 160, the airflow may flow downstream tohandvac 112. Accordingly, handvac cyclone bin assembly 136 is positioneddownstream of and in series with supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160.The air may be received in handvac cyclone bin assembly 136 whereadditional particulate matter may be further separated from the airflowand deposited into dirt collection chamber 188. In many cases, theadditional particulate matter separated by cyclone bin assembly 136 mayconstitute less than 30% of the total volume of dirt separated fromapparatus 100, and may constitute all or a majority of the fines thatare separated. Accordingly, dirt collection chamber 188 may be filled ata lower volumetric rate than supplemental dirt collection chamber 141.This may help to maintain dirt collection capacity in handvac 112.

In operation, air exiting air outlet 320 of cyclone bin assembly 160 mayenter handvac 112 for a second stage of cleaning by cyclone bin assembly136. As illustrated, handvac 112 may include a nozzle 412 having anupstream end 416 and a downstream end 420. When handvac 112 is connectedto upright section 108, upstream end 416 may be fluidly connected withair outlet 320 of upright section 108, and downstream end 420 may befluidly connected with inlet 192 of handvac cyclone chamber 184.

In operation, air may be drawn into dirty air inlet 124 and enterupstream wand portion 440. Diversion member 428 may redirect the airtraveling through upstream wand portion 440 to enter air inlet 316 ofcyclone chamber 308. Air may travel through air inlet 316 tangentiallyto sidewall 376 and spiral downwardly toward lower end wall 368, wherebydirt may be separated from the airflow and pass through dirt outlet 324to accumulate in dirt collection chamber 141. The airflow may thentravel downstream into vortex finder 400 and exit cyclone chamber 308 atair outlet 320 at downstream end 404 of vortex finder 400, into anoutlet passage 476. Outlet passage 476 may have a downstream end fluidlyconnected to downstream wand portion 444. The air may travel throughdownstream wand portion 444 to downstream wand end 364 into handvac 112.In handvac 112, additional dirt may be separated from the airflow bycyclone bin assembly 136 before the air is discharged through clean airoutlet 132.

It will be appreciated that, in accordance with this aspect, cyclone binassembly 160 may be any suitable cyclone bin assembly. In the exampleshown in FIGS. 5, 12, and 25, cyclone chamber 308 includes a lower endwall 368, an upper end wall 372, and a sidewall 376 extending betweenthe lower end wall 368 and the upper end wall 372. Preferably, sidewall376 is substantially cylindrical or frustroconical in accordance withconventional cyclone chamber design.

Dirt outlet 324 may be formed as an opening in sidewall 376 fordirecting separated dirt into dirt collection chamber 141. In someembodiments, at least a portion of sidewall 376 of cyclone chamber 308may form a common dividing wall between cyclone chamber 308 and dirtcollection chamber 141. In this case, dirt outlet 324 may be formed asan opening in the common portion of sidewall 376.

Dirt outlet 324 may be formed at any suitable position on sidewall 376.In the illustrated example, dirt outlet 324 is positioned at an upperend of cyclone chamber 308 proximate upper end wall 372. Moreparticularly, the illustrated embodiment includes a dirt outlet 324defined by a slot 380 in sidewall 376 bordered by upper end wall 372.This may increase the capacity of dirt collection chamber 141. Morespecifically, dirt may accumulate by gravity from the bottom of dirtcollection chamber 141 upwardly. Thus, the capacity of the dirtcollection chamber 141 may be defined at least in part by the positionof dirt outlet 324. Dirt collection chamber 141 is full when the levelof dirt in dirt collection chamber 141 rises to dirt outlet 324.Accordingly, the capacity of dirt collection chamber 141 is the volumeof the dirt collection chamber 141 below dirt outlet 324. Thus, thecapacity of dirt collection chamber 141 may be increased by positioningdirt outlet 324 in an uppermost position, such as proximate the upperend wall 372 of cyclone chamber 308 as shown.

Alternately, in some embodiments as exemplified in FIG. 26, lower endwall 368 may comprise or be an arrester plate 1280 which separatescyclone chamber 308 from dirt collection chamber 141. In this case, dirtoutlet 324 may be formed by a gap between arrester plate 1280 andsidewall 376, where dirt particles may fall by gravity into dirtcollection chamber 141.

In accordance with another aspect which is discussed in more detailsubsequently, as exemplified, cyclone chamber 308 may include an inletpassage 384 for redirecting axially-directed inlet air to flowtangentially to promote cyclonic action in cyclone chamber 308. Anupstream end 388 of inlet passage 384 may face axially (i.e.substantially parallel to cyclone axis 392), and a downstream end (notshown) of inlet passage 384 may face tangentially to cyclone chamber308. Air entering upstream end 388 of inlet passage 384 from air inlet316 may travel along inlet passage 384 and exit downstream end (notshown) in a tangential direction. After spiraling upwardly around vortexfinder 400 of cyclone chamber 308, the airflow may enter vortex finder400 and exit cyclone chamber 308 through air outlet 320 at a downstreamend 404 of vortex finder 400.

Handvac cyclone chamber 184 may be any suitable cyclone chamber. In someembodiments, cyclone chamber 184 is substantially similar to cyclonechamber 308. For example, cyclone chamber 184 may include an air inlet192, an inlet passage 420, a dirt outlet 200, a vortex finder 424, adirt outlet 200, an air outlet 196, and a cyclone axis 248. Air fromupright section 108 may axially enter air inlet 192, be redirected to atangential direction by inlet passage 420, spiral upwardly around vortexfinder 424, deposit dirt into dirt outlet 200, and then exit cyclonechamber 184 through air outlet 196 at a downstream end of vortex finder424.

Modes of Operation

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the surface cleaning apparatus is reconfigurable to operatein a plurality of different modes of operation. For example, the surfacecleaning apparatus may be operable in two or more of a handvac mode, astair-cleaning mode, an above-floor cleaning mode, a large dirt capacityupright mode, a lightweight upright mode, or a dual motor upright mode.In some cases, the surface cleaning apparatus may be reconfigurablebetween different modes of operation with a single act of connection ordisconnection. This may permit the surface cleaning apparatus to bequickly reconfigured with minimal interruption.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 13, surface cleaning apparatus 100, 152,and 168 are shown in a large dirt capacity upright cleaning mode. In thelarge dirt capacity upright cleaning mode, surface cleaning apparatus100, 152, and 168 may include surface cleaning head 104, upright section108 including wand 144 and supplemental dirt collection assembly 140,and handvac 112. The airflow path may extend from dirty air inlet 124 ofsurface cleaning head 104 downstream through wand 144 and then cyclonebin assembly 136 of handvac 112 to separate dirt from the airflow anddeposit that dirt into dirt collection chamber 141 of upright section108 and/or handvac dirt collection chamber 188. In apparatus 152 and168, cyclone bin assembly 160 is also positioned in the airflow path forseparating and collecting dirt from the airflow and cyclone bin assembly136 of handvac 112 may optionally be bypassed as discussed subsequently.

As exemplified in FIGS. 12 and 12 a one or more of the surface cleaninghead 104, upright section 108, and handvac 112 may be removablyconnected to each other so as to be able to be assembled in a number ofdifferent combinations to provide apparatus 152 with a number ofdifferent modes of operation. In some embodiments, the wand 144 andsupplemental assembly 140, 160 of upright section 108 may also beremovably connected to each other to provide additional modes ofoperation. For example, in the large dirt capacity upright cleaningmode, surface cleaning head 104 may be connected to upstream end 360 ofwand 144, downstream end 364 of wand 144 may be connected to an airinlet 316 of cyclone bin assembly 160, and air outlet 320 of cyclone binassembly 160 may connected to upstream end 416 of handvac nozzle 412.

The large dirt capacity upright cleaning mode as shown may beparticularly effective for cleaning large surface areas (e.g. the floorof one or more rooms). The user may grasp handvac handle 484 to steersurface cleaning head 104 across the surface to be cleaned (i.e. handle484 may be a drive handle of the surface cleaning apparatus). The tallheight 492 of apparatus 100, 152, and 168 provided in part by theinterposition of wand 144 between surface cleaning head 104 and handvac112 may permit apparatus 100 to be operated by a user standing upright.The large dirt capacity of dirt collection chamber 141 of uprightsection 108 may permit extended usage of apparatus 100 before the dirtcollection chamber 141 becomes full and must be emptied.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4, 5, 12, 12 a, 20 and 27-30, and 37-44 dirtcollection assembly 140 or cyclone bin assembly 160 may be selectivelydisconnected from upright section 108 to reconfigure apparatus 100, 152,or 168 from the large dirt capacity upright mode to a light weightupright mode. Likewise, dirt collection assembly 140 or cyclone binassembly 160 may be selectively reconnected to upright section 108 toreconfigure apparatus 100, 152, or 168 from a light weight mode to alarge dirt capacity upright mode.

Preferably, reconfiguring the apparatus from the large dirt capacityupright mode to the light weight upright mode may require only a singleuser action (e.g., disconnecting the dirt collection assembly 140 orcyclone bin assembly 160 from the upright section 108 may automaticallyclose a dumping door of the handvac if the dumping door is open and mayalso automatically close a diversion member if the vacuum cleanerincludes a supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160).

As exemplified in apparatus 100, door 228 which may have been open inthe large dirt capacity upright mode for connecting dirt collectionchambers 188 and 141, may close automatically (i.e. without any furtheruser interaction) upon disconnecting dirt collection chamber 141, toseal bottom wall 216 of dirt collection chamber 141. Exemplarymechanisms include a biasing member, such as a spring and a mechanicalor electrical drive member drivingly connected to the door to close thedoor as supplemental assembly 140, 160 is removed.

As exemplified in apparatus 168, disconnecting cyclone bin assembly 160from wand 144 may automatically reroute the airflow path to extenddirectly from upstream wand end 360 to downstream wand end 364 withoutthe intermediary diversion to cyclone bin assembly 160. Therefore, theairflow path between surface cleaning head 104 and handvac 112 isautomatically reconfigured by disconnection of cyclone bin assembly 160to reconfigure apparatus 168 to the light weight upright mode.Accordingly apparatus 168 may be continually operated while beingreconfigured.

In alternative embodiments, door 228 of apparatus 100 may be manuallyclosed as another step before, during or after dirt collection assembly140 is disconnected from upright section 108 to complete thereconfiguration to the light weight upright mode. For example, a usermay manually close the door. In other embodiments, as described in moredetail below, a diversion valve of apparatus 168 may require manualclosure as another step after cyclone bin assembly 160 is disconnectedfrom wand 144 to complete the reconfiguration to the light weightupright mode. Alternately, a single actuator may be manually operated toclose the door and the diversion valve.

As exemplified in FIG. 4, apparatus 152 may be reconfigurable from thelarge dirt capacity upright mode to a light weight upright mode bydisconnecting assembly 140, 160 from wand 144. In some cases, it may bedesirable to momentarily reconfigure an apparatus to the lightweightupright mode to complete a task (e.g. clean under an article offurniture), and afterward reconfigure the apparatus to the large dirtcapacity upright mode. In the illustrated example, the airflow pathbetween surface cleaning head 104 and handvac 112 persists during andafter reconfiguration of apparatus 100 from the large dirt capacityupright mode to the lightweight upright mode. This may permit apparatus100,to be operated continuously (i.e. air to continue to travel betweeninlet 124 and outlet 132) before, during, and after reconfiguration tothe lightweight upright mode. In turn, this may allow for a quickreconfiguration with little or no disruption. It will be appreciatedthat if a cyclone is provided in the supplemental assembly (e.g.,assembly 160), there may be a short period during which the diversionvalve is not closed during the transition.

In some cases, reconfiguring apparatus 100, 152, or 168 from the largedirt capacity upright mode to the lightweight upright mode may provide areduction in weight (i.e. by the removal of dirt collection assembly 140or cyclone bin assembly 160), and a more slender profile. Thus, thelightweight upright mode may make apparatus 100, 152, or 168 easier tolift (e.g. carry upstairs), and easier to maneuver under and aroundfurniture and the like. However, in this mode, all of the dirt separatedby cyclone bin assembly 136 in the lightweight upright mode is collectedin dirt collection chamber 188. Thus, apparatus 100, 152, or 168 mayhave less dirt collection capacity in the lightweight upright mode ascompared with the large dirt capacity upright mode.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-33, 44 a, and 44 b, apparatus 100 and 168 areshown in an above-floor cleaning mode. As illustrated, apparatus 100 and168 in the above-floor cleaning mode include handvac 112 and wand 144.Apparatus 100, 152, and 168 may be reconfigured from the lightweightupright mode to the above-floor cleaning mode by disconnecting surfacecleaning head 104 from wand 144. It will be appreciated that assembly140, 160 may be retained in an above floor cleaning mode if desired.However, this would add extra weight to the apparatus in the above floorcleaning mode.

Referring to FIG. 36a , apparatus 152 is shown in another above-floorcleaning mode. As shown, apparatus 152 in an above-floor cleaning modemay include handvac 112 and an accessory wand 145. Accessory wand 145may be provided supplementary to wand 144 of upright section 108. Forexample, accessory wand 145 may be removably mountable to a sidewall ofupright section 108, as shown in FIG. 5. Still referring to FIG. 36a ,in the above-floor cleaning mode shown, upstream end 360 may provide thedirty air inlet, and downstream end 364 may be removably fluidlyconnected to handvac nozzle 412. Accessory wand 145 may have anysuitable length 516. For example, wand 144 may have a length sufficientto permit apparatus 100 to be used as an upright vacuum cleaner in theconfiguration of FIG. 5. Accordingly, wand 144 may be 2-4 feet long. Incontrast, accessory wand 145 may be shorter than wand 144 (e.g., a userwants to be closer to the area to be cleaned in an above floor cleaningmode) and accordingly accessory wand 145 may be 6-18 inches.

In the above-floor cleaning mode, the upstream end 496 of wand 144 mayprovide the dirty air inlet of apparatus 100, 152, or 168. Theabove-floor cleaning mode may be well suited to cleaning surfaces abovethe floor, or more generally surfaces that are not substantiallyhorizontal, and for cleaning in crevices which surface cleaning head 104might be unable to access. The wand 144 may provide extended reach fordistant cleaning surfaces (e.g. curtains, and ceilings). An auxiliarycleaning tool such as a crevice tool, brush or the like may be attachedto the inlet end of the wand.

Preferably, apparatus 100, 152, or 168 may be reconfigured from thelightweight upright mode to the above-floor cleaning mode by a singleuser action—disconnection of surface cleaning head 104 from the upstreamend 496 of wand 144. This may permit the apparatus to be quicklyreconfigured with little or no disruption. For example, the apparatusmay operate continuously before, during, and after reconfiguration fromthe lightweight upright mode to the above-floor cleaning mode. This maypermit a user to conveniently reconfigure the apparatus to theabove-floor cleaning mode to clean a surface inaccessible in thelightweight upright mode, and afterward reconfigure the apparatus to thelightweight upright mode to continue cleaning, e.g. the floor.

In some embodiments, the above-floor cleaning mode may further includedirt collection assembly 140. For example, a user may reconfigureapparatus 100, 152, or 168 from the large dirt capacity upright mode(FIGS. 1, 5, and 13) to the above-floor cleaning mode by disconnectingsurface cleaning head 104 from wand 144, while maintaining dirtcollection assembly 140 in place on wand 144. An above-floor cleaningmode of this configuration may provide apparatus 100 with the reach ofthe above-floor cleaning mode, and the storage capacity of the largedirt capacity upright mode. In some embodiments, dirt collectionassembly 140 may be a one piece assembly with the wand 144 (i.e.irremovably connected to wand 144), in which case the wand 144 may be anup flow duct.

Referring to FIG. 22, apparatus 100, 152, and 168 may be reconfigured toa handvac mode from any other mode of operation by disconnecting handvac112 (e.g. from wand 144). As illustrated, the handvac mode may includehandvac 112 alone. In the handvac mode, upstream end 416 of nozzle 412may provide the dirty air inlet. Optionally, one or more accessories(not shown), such as a brush, crevice tool, auxiliary wand 145 may beconnected to nozzle 412. If a wand 144 is part of dirt collectionassembly 140 then an accessory wand 145 may be provided which isconnectable to nozzle 412.

The handvac mode of apparatus 100 may be lighter, smaller, and moreagile than the other modes of operation. However, the handvac mode mayhave a smaller dirt collection capacity than the large dirt capacityupright mode (FIGS. 1, 5, and 13) for example.

In some cases, a user may wish to momentarily disconnect handvac 112 foruse in the handvac mode (e.g. to clean a surface that is more accessiblein the handvac mode), and then return the apparatus to the previousmode. For example, apparatus 100, 152, or 168 may be momentarilyreconfigured from the large dirt capacity upright mode (FIGS. 1, 5, and13) or from the lightweight upright mode (FIGS. 27 and 37) to thehandvac mode be merely removing the handvac and afterward reconfiguredagain to the upright mode.

It may be beneficial for the dirt collection chamber 188 of handvac 112to have capacity available for use in the handvac mode upondisconnecting handvac 112 from upright section 108. Further, it may bebeneficial for dirt collection chamber 188 of handvac 112 to reclaimcapacity after reconnecting handvac 112 to upright section 108. This maybe achieved by having dirt collection chamber 188 empty into assembly140, 160 continually while handvac 112 is attached to the assembly,manually before removal of the handvac or upon removal of the handvac.The dirt capacity may be reclaimed by having dirt collection chamber 188empty into assembly 140, 160 upon replacing handvac 112 to the assembly(either manually or automatically upon replacement).

An example of such a reconfiguration is discussed with respect to theembodiment of FIG. 21. In the illustrated example, handvac dirtcollection chamber 188 has a bottom wall 216 that remains open to dirtcollection assembly 140 while the handvac is attached to permit dirtfrom handvac dirt collection chamber 188 to transfer (e.g., by gravity)to dirt collection chamber 141 thereby preventing dirt collectionchamber 188 from being filled while the apparatus is used in one of theupright operating modes.

Apparatus 100 may be reconfigured from the handvac mode to the largedirt capacity upright mode by reconnecting handvac 112 to uprightsection 108. Preferably, reconnecting handvac 112 to upright section 108automatically opens handvac dirt collection chamber 188 to dirtcollection chamber 141 for transferring at least a portion of the dirt,collected while in the handvac mode, to dirt collection chamber 141thereby emptying dirt collection chamber 188 so that dirt collectionchamber 188 is not full when the handvac is once again used in thehandvac mode.

In some embodiments, handvac dirt collection chamber 188 does not emptyinto assembly 140, 160 when attached to the assembly, manually orautomatically. For example, FIGS. 25 and 26 show exemplary embodimentsof apparatus 152 and 168 where assemblies 160 and 188 receive and storedirt separately at all times. As shown, upright dirt collection chamber141 may receive and collect dirt separated by auxiliary cyclone binassembly 160, and handvac dirt collection chamber 188 may separatelyreceive and collect dirt separated by handvac cyclone bin assembly 136.

Turning now to FIGS. 123-126, apparatus 152 is shown in accordance withanother embodiment. As exemplified, handvac cyclone bin assembly 136 mayinclude a plurality of cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series. Forexample, and referring to FIGS. 125 and 126, cyclone bin assembly 136may include a first cyclonic cleaning stage 640 arranged in seriesupstream from a second cyclonic cleaning stage 644. First cycloniccleaning stage 640 may include one or more air outlet(s) 196 a whichdischarge into air inlet(s) 192 b of second cyclonic cleaning stage 644.

Referring now to FIG. 127, each cyclonic cleaning stage 640 and 644 mayinclude one or more cyclone chambers 184 in parallel. For example,cyclonic cleaning stages 640 and 644 may each include one cyclonechamber 184, or may each include a plurality of cyclone chambers 184.Alternatively, one of cyclonic cleaning stages 640 and 644 may includeone cyclone chamber 184 and the other stage may include a plurality ofcyclone chambers 184. In the illustrated example, first cycloniccleaning stage 640 includes one cyclone chamber 184 a, and secondcyclonic cleaning stage 644 includes a plurality of cyclone chambers 184b arranged in parallel. For example, second cyclonic cleaning stage 644may include four or more cyclone chambers 184 b arranged in parallel.

Second stage cyclone chamber(s) 184 b may have any suitable orientationrelative to first stage cyclone chamber(s) 184 a. For example, each ofsecond stage cyclone chamber(s) 184 b may have an air inlet 192 b and anair outlet 196 b both positioned proximate a rear end 648 of the secondcyclonic cleaning stage 644 (rearward with respect to the inlet of thehandvac), or both positioned proximate a front end 652 of the secondcyclonic cleaning stage 644. Alternatively, each of second stage cyclonechamber(s) 184 b may have an air inlet 192 positioned proximate one ofthe front and rear ends 648 and 652, and an air outlet 196 b positionedproximate the other of the front and rear ends 648 and 652. In theillustrated example, second stage cyclone chambers 184 b are shownincluding air inlets 192 b at front end 648 and air outlets at rear end652. This may reduce directional changes in the airflow which may reducebackpressure developed through second stage cyclone chambers 184 b forenhanced airflow efficiency. As shown, axes 248 b of second stagecyclone chamber 184 b may be parallel to axis 248 a of first stagecyclone chamber 184 a.

Handvac cyclone bin assembly 136 may include one or more dirt collectionregions 188. For example, cyclone chambers 184 of first and secondcyclonic cleaning stages 640 and 644 may separate dirt into one commondirt collection region 188, or each cyclonic cleaning stage 640 and 644may include a separate dirt collection region 188. In the latter case,all first stage cyclone chamber(s) 184 a may discharge dirt into thefirst stage dirt collection region 188 a, and all second stage cyclonechamber(s) 184 b may discharge dirt into the second stage dirtcollection region 188 b. In the illustrated embodiment, handvac cyclonebin assembly 136 includes one first stage dirt collection region 188 a,and a plurality of second stage dirt collection regions 188 b, whereeach second sage dirt collection region 188 b receives dirt dischargedby a respective second stage cyclone chamber 184 b.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 34-36, which show apparatus 100, 152, or168 in a stair-cleaning mode of operation. As shown, apparatus 100, 152,or 168 in stair-cleaning mode may include handvac 112 directly connectedto surface cleaning head 104. For example, nozzle 412 may be connectedto pivot joint 116 of surface cleaning head 104.

The stair-cleaning mode of operation may be especially suitable forcleaning stairs and the like, where frequent lifting is required toclean the desired surface areas.

Handvac Center of Gravity in the Upright Modes

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, when the apparatus is in an upright mode and, in particularin a large dirt capacity upright mode, the center of gravity of thehandvac may be located directly above the cyclone bin assembly (or dirtcollection chamber) of the upright section.

As exemplified in FIGS. 21 and 25, apparatus 100 is shown in a largedirt capacity upright mode in a storage position. In the illustratedexample, handvac 112 is shown including a handvac center of gravity 524.As shown, center of gravity 524 may be positioned vertically above dirtcollection assembly 140/cyclone bin assembly 160 between the front andrear ends 532, 544 and 536, 548 of dirt collection assembly 140/cyclonebin assembly 160. Preferably, center of gravity 524 is positionedsubstantially centrally between front and rear ends 532, 544 and 536,548 of dirt collection assembly 140/cyclone bin assembly and may bealigned with the wand.

Alternately, or in addition, as exemplified, center of gravity 524 ispositioned between cyclone bin assembly 136 and suction motor 204,inside premotor filter chamber 556 of handvac 112.

Configuration of the Auxiliary Assembly

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus may have an upright sectionwith an auxiliary dirt collection assembly 140 or auxiliary cyclone binassembly 160 sized, shaped, and positioned according any one of aplurality of different configurations relative to the wand of theupright section and the handvac.

In some embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided having anupright mode wherein the auxiliary assembly 140, 160 and the handvac arepositioned on the same side of the wand. As exemplified in FIGS. 1, 21,24, 45, and 46, auxiliary assembly 140, 160 and handvac dirt collectionchamber 188 may both extend rearwardly of wand 144. Referring to FIG.21, rear end 536 of dirt collection assembly 140 is shown positioned arearward distance 564 from wand axis 568. Bottom wall 216 of dirtcollection chamber 188 is shown positioned a rearward distance 576 fromwand axis 568. Preferably, distances 564 and 576 are substantiallyequal. In alternative embodiments, distances 564 and 576 may bedifferent. For example, distance 560 may be greater than distance 576,or distance 576 may be greater than distance 564. If rear end 536 is atan angle to the vertical as exemplified, then the handvac is preferabledesigned such that the rear end does not extend rearwardly past aprojection of the line of rear end 536. Accordingly, the lowest extendto which upright section 108 may be pivoted rearwardly is determined bythe auxiliary assembly and not the handvac.

In some embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided having aupright mode wherein the auxiliary assembly 140, 160 and the handvac arepositioned on opposite sides of the wand. As exemplified in FIG. 26,dirt collection assembly 140 of upright section 108 is positionedforwardly of wand 144, and handvac dirt collection chamber 188 ispositioned rearwardly of wand 144. An advantage of this design is thatthe weight of the auxiliary assembly 140, 160 is on the opposite side ofwand 144 from the handvac and may assist in offsetting the hand weightof the handvac felt by a user holding the handle of the handvac.

In some embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided having aupright mode where the auxiliary assembly 140, 160 and handvac arepositioned on opposite left and right sides of the wand. For example, inapparatus 168, cyclone bin assembly 160 may be mounted to one of theleft or right sides of upright section 108, and handvac 112 may beoriented relative to the upright section 108 such that dirt collectionchamber 188 extends to the other of the left or right sides of uprightsection 108.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary assembly 140, 160 of the uprightsection surrounds at least a portion of the wand. Referring to FIGS. 1,21, 24, 45 and 46, apparatus 100 is shown including an upright section108 having dirt collection assembly 140 which partially surrounds wand144. In the illustrated example, dirt collection assembly 140 includes achannel 584 for receiving at least a portion of wand 144. As shown,channel 584 may extend the height 588 of dirt collection assembly 140between lower and upper ends 292 and 596. Channel 584 may also extend indepth from front end 532 rearwardly toward rear end 536.

As exemplified, dirt collection assembly 140 includes left and rightportions 600 and 604 on opposite left and right sides of channel 584. Inthe upright mode of apparatus 100, wand 144 may be at least partiallyreceived in channel 584, whereby left and right portions 600 and 604 arepositioned to the left and right sides of wand 144. As shown, a frontend 532 of dirt collection assembly 140 may extend forwardly of wand144, such that at least a portion of wand 144 is positioned between thefront and rear ends 532 and 536 of dirt collection assembly 140.

In the illustrated embodiment, dirt collection assembly 140 may alsosurround at least a portion of handvac 112 in the upright mode ofapparatus 100. In the illustrated embodiment, an outlet end 608 of wand144 may be received in channel 584 of dirt collection assembly 140.Accordingly, a front portion of handvac 112 may extend into channel 584for connection with outlet end 608 of wand 144. In the illustratedembodiment, nozzle 412 and inlet passage 420 of handvac 112 may bepositioned inside channel 584 of dirt collection assembly 140 in theupright mode of apparatus 100.

Upright Section With a Plurality of Cyclones

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 may have aplurality of cyclones positioned in series and/or in parallel in theairflow path. The cyclones may be positioned to the same side of theupright section (e.g., front or back, left or right), or on differentsides of the upright section (e.g., one front and one back or one on theright side and one on the left side). In one embodiment, the uprightsection may use two cyclones and the wand may be positioned between thetwo cyclones.

As exemplified in FIGS. 47-51,auxiliary cyclone assembly 160 comprisesfirst and second supplemental cyclone bin assemblies 161, which may beindividual units or may be formed as a single unit or housing. Eachcyclone bin assembly 161 is shown including a cyclone chamber 308 and adirt collection chamber 141. Dirt collection chambers 141 may becombined to form a common repository for dirt separated by both cyclonebin assemblies 161 or each cyclone bin assembly 161 may have a separatedirt collection chamber 141.

Each cyclone chamber 308 may be any suitable cyclone chamber and maybethe same or different. As shown, each cyclone chamber 308 may include atangential air inlet 344 proximate upper end 374, and an axial airoutlet 320 at a downstream end of vortex finder 400.

Cyclone bin assemblies 161 may be positioned in parallel in the airflowpath between surface cleaning head 104 and handvac 112. As exemplified,the airflow path may extend from surface cleaning head 104 through anupstream wand portion 440, diverge into the inlets 316 of cyclonechambers 308 through cyclone chambers 308 to their respective airoutlets 320. Each cyclone bin assembly 161 may include an outlet passage476 connecting air outlets 320 to downstream portion 444 of wand 144where the airflow path converges. From downstream portion 444 of wand144, the airflow path may extend through handvac 112 and exit out cleanair outlet 132.

As exemplified, upstream and downstream portions 440 and 444 of wand 144may be divided by a diversion member 712, which is describedsubsequently with respect to a further alternate aspect. Air travelingdownstream through upstream portion 440 may contact diversion member 712and be redirected laterally into air inlets 316 of cyclone chambers 308.Outlet passages 476 of cyclone bin assemblies 161 may converge to form asingle airflow path in downstream portion 444 of wand 144 abovediversion member 712.

Diversion Valve

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a diversion valve is provided which diverts air travellingthrough upright section 108 (e.g., the wand 144) into the auxiliaryassembly 160 (e.g., supplemental cyclone or cyclones 308). Preferably,the diversion valve operates automatically upon the auxiliary assembly160 being disconnected from and/or connected to the surface cleaningapparatus.

As exemplified in FIG. 20, cyclone bin assembly 160 may be selectivelyconnected to upright section 108 whereby the airflow path may bereconfigured to extend through cyclone bin assembly 160. Similarly,cyclone bin assembly 160 may be selectively disconnected from uprightsection 108 whereby the airflow path may be reconfigured to extendthrough wand 144 from end to end without diversion. Preferably, theairflow path reconfiguration is automatic upon connection and/ordisconnection of cyclone bin assembly 160 to upright section 108.

In some embodiments, wand 144 may include a diversion outlet 704 and adiversion inlet 708 positioned between the upstream and downstream ends360 and 364 of wand 144. The diversion outlet 704 and diversion inlet708 may be selectively opened when connecting cyclone bin assembly 160to upright section 108 to reconfigure the airflow path to divert intothe cyclone bin assembly 160 at diversion outlet 704, and to return tothe wand 144 from cyclone bin assembly 160 at diversion inlet 708.Upright section 108 may include a diversion valve for opening andclosing diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708.

A diversion valve 712 according to a first embodiment is exemplified inFIGS. 52-57. As exemplified, diversion valve 712 may include a sleeve716 positioned inside of wand 144, and a pedal 720 for moving sleeve 716between an open position and a closed position.

Sleeve 716 may be a conduit for fluidly coupling upstream and downstreamwand portions 440 and 444 in the closed position of diversion valve 712(see FIGS. 52 and 55) to bypass diversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708.Preferably, sleeve 716 may be a rigid conduit. Alternatively, sleeve 716may include flexible and/or collapsible elements. Effectively, sleeve716 may close diversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708 in the closedposition of diversion valve 712. Optionally, diversion valve 712 mayinclude one or more sealing members (e.g. O-rings) which may form anair-tight seal between sleeve 716 and upstream wand portion 440, andbetween sleeve 716 and downstream wand portion 444 to help prevent theescape of air through diversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708 in theclosed position of diversion valve 712.

Sleeve 716 may be movable axially along wand 114 between the closedposition (FIGS. 52 and 55) and the open position (FIGS. 54 and 57).Preferably, sleeve 716 is moved to the open position automatically bymounting cyclone bin assembly 160 to upright section 108 (e.g.connecting to wand 144), and/or moved to the closed positionautomatically by dismounting cyclone bin assembly 160 from uprightsection 108 (e.g. disconnecting from wand 144). In the illustratedembodiment, sleeve 716 is drivingly coupled to a pedal 720. Pedal 720may be depressed to move sleeve 716 from the closed position of FIGS. 52and 55 to the open position of FIGS. 54 and 57. As shown, pedal 720 maybe positioned axially below sleeve 716 and extend outwardly of wand 144to be depressed by cyclone bin assembly 160 when mounting cyclone binassembly 160 to upright section 108. Pedal 720 and sleeve 716 may beintegrally molded, or separately formed and connected, to move axiallyup and down as a unit.

As exemplified, pedal 720 and sleeve 716 may be movably mounted to wand144 for axial movement between the open and closed position. As shown,pedal 720 and sleeve 716 may move downwardly from the closed position(FIGS. 52 and 55) to the open position (FIGS. 54 and 57). In the closedposition, sleeve 716 may extend the airflow path directly across thethreshold between the upstream and downstream wand portions 440 and 444.In the open position, sleeve 716 may be retracted into the upstream wandportion 440 to open diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708, and therebypermit the airflow path to be diverted through diversion outlet 704,cyclone bin assembly 160 and diversion inlet 708. As shown, diversionoutlet 704 may be positioned at a downstream end 724 of upstream wandportion 440, and diversion inlet 708 may be positioned at an upstreamend 728 of downstream wand portion 444.

In an alternative embodiment, sleeve 716 may have one or more openingswhich align with diversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708 in the openposition of valve 712. In the closed position, the openings in sleeve716 may be closed by alignment with solid wall portions of wand 144, anddiversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708 may be closed by alignment withsolid wall portions of sleeve 716. In this case, sleeve 716 may bepositioned inside the upstream and downstream wand portions 440 and 444in both the open and closed positions of valve 712.

Preferably, sleeve 716 is biased to the closed position. For example,valve 712 may include a biasing member which acts on sleeve 716 to biassleeve 716 to the closed position. In the illustrated example, valve 712includes a spring 732 which acts on pedal 720 to urge pedal 720 andsleeve 716 upwardly to the closed position. In alternative embodiments,sleeve 716 may not be biased to the closed position. For example, sleeve716 may include an actuator, such as a switch or lever, which must bemanually activated to move sleeve 716 to the closed position or is movedby assembly 160 when assembly 160 is removed.

Still referring to FIGS. 52-57, cyclone bin assembly 160 may include anengagement member for mating with pedal 720 to mount cyclone binassembly 160 on pedal 720. In the illustrated example, a cavity 736 isformed in sidewall 376 of cyclone bin assembly 160 for receiving pedal720. In use, cyclone bin assembly 160 may be set onto pedal 720 suchthat pedal 720 is received in cavity 736. Preferably, the weight ofcyclone bin assembly 160 on pedal 720 is sufficient to overcome the biasof valve biasing member 732, and move pedal 720 and sleeve 716downwardly to the open position. In alternative embodiments, additionaldownward force must be applied by the user to move pedal 720 and sleeve716 downwardly against the bias of the biasing member 732 and/or anactuator, such as a foot pedal, may be utilized.

Cyclone bin assembly 160 may be toed onto pedal 720 (see e.g., FIGS. 53,56), and then pivoted on pedal 720 into position (see e.g., FIGS. 54,57) after pedal 720 and sleeve 716 have moved downwardly to the openposition. In the illustrated example, cyclone bin assembly 160 may beset onto pedal 720 with cyclone axis 392 extending at a (non-zero) angleto wand axis 740, and then lowered with pedal 720 to move valve 712 tothe open position, and finally pivoted about pedal 720 toward wand 144to complete the connection of cyclone bin assembly 160 to wand 144. Anlocking member, such as a latch 744, which may be located at the end ofthe upper end or wand 144, may be provided to secure assembly 160 inposition. In some embodiments, cyclone axis 392 may be substantiallyparallel to wand axis 740 when cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected towand 144.

Cyclone bin assembly 160 may include a diversion member 428 for dividingwand 144 into upstream and downstream wand portions 440 and 444, and fordiverting flow from the upstream wand portion 440 into cyclone binassembly inlet 316. Diversion member 428 may take any suitable form. Inthe illustrated embodiment, diversion member 428 is a substantially flatplate which extends outboard of sidewall 376 for protruding into wand144 through one of diversion outlet 704, diversion inlet 708, or anotheropening into wand 144. Alternatively, diversion member 428 may be curvedto provide a less abrupt change in airflow direction, which may reducethe pressure drop across the diversion member 428. Optionally, diversionmember 428 may include or interface with a sealing member (e.g. adeformable elastomeric seal) to form an airtight barrier betweenupstream and downstream wand portions 440 and 444. Alternately, thediversion member may be a separate member that is installed as aseparate step when (i.e. before, during, and/or after) connectingcyclone bin assembly 160 to the wand 144.

As exemplified, when cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted to wand 144, asshown in FIGS. 54 and 57, air inlet 316 of cyclone chamber 308 isconnected to diversion outlet 704 for receiving air from upstream wandportion 440 into cyclone chamber 308, and outlet passage 476 isconnected to diversion inlet 708 for discharging air from cyclone binassembly 160 into downstream wand portion 444.

Cyclone bin assembly 160 may be removably mounted to wand 144 by anysuitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone bin assembly160 includes a latch 744 on handle 616 for engaging a tab 746 whichextends outwardly of wand 144. Latch 744 may be user-operable by a usergrasping handle 616 to release latch 744 from tab 746 for disconnectingcyclone bin assembly 160 from wand 144. Preferably, biasing member 732of valve 712 automatically and immediately moves sleeve 716 to theclosed position upon disconnection of cyclone bin assembly 160 toreconfigure the airflow pathway by closing diversion inlet and outlet704 and 708.

A diversion valve 712 according to a second embodiment is exemplified inFIGS. 58-63. Diversion valve 712 is similar to diversion valve 712 ofFIGS. 52-57 in many respects except, for example that sleeve 716 isembodied by a collapsible hose 716 instead of a more rigid conduit.

As exemplified, diversion valve 712 includes a collapsible sleeve 716positioned inside of wand 144, and a pedal 720 for moving hose 716 beenan open position and a closed position.

Sleeve 716 may be a collapsible conduit for fluidly coupling upstreamand downstream wand portions 440 and 444 in the closed position ofdiversion valve 712 (see FIGS. 60 and 63) to bypass diversion inlet andoutlet 708 and 712. Optionally, diversion valve 712 may include one ormore seals (e.g. 0-rings) which form an air-tight seal between sleeve716 and upstream wand portion 440, and between sleeve 716 and downstreamwand portion 444 to help prevent the escape of air through diversioninlet and outlet 704 and 708 in the closed position of diversion valve716.

In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 716 has a fixed-position upstreamend 756 sealed to upstream wand portion 440, and a downstream end 760axially movable inside wand 144. Downstream end 760 may be movabletoward upstream end 756 to the open position (FIGS. 60 and 63) wherebysleeve 716 is partially collapsed with downstream end 760 positioned inthe upstream wand portion 440 upstream of diversion outlet 704.Downstream end 760 may also be movable away from upstream end 756 to theclosed position (FIGS. 58 and 61) whereby sleeve 716 is extended withdownstream end 760 position in the downstream wand portion 444downstream of diversion inlet 708.

As exemplified, pedal 720 may be drivingly coupled to downstream end 760of sleeve 716. Pedal 720 may be depressed (e.g. by the weight of cyclonebin assembly 160) to move downstream end 760 into the upstream wandportion 440, collapsing sleeve 716 into the open position of FIGS. 60and 63. Pedal 720 may also be raised (e.g. automatically by action ofbiasing member 732 upon release of pedal 720 or pulled upwardly byassembly 160) to move downstream end 760 into the downstream wandportion 444, extending sleeve 716 into the closed position of FIGS. 58and 61. Alternately, a manual actuator may be used.

A diversion valve 712 according to a third embodiment is exemplified inFIGS. 64-71. As exemplified, diversion valve 712 may include a diversionoutlet door 772 and a diversion inlet door 776. Doors 772 and 776 may beopened when cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected to wand 144 forreconfiguring the airflow path to extend through cyclone bin assembly160. Doors 772 and 776 may also be closed when cyclone bin assembly 160is disconnected from wand 144 for reconfiguring the airflow path toextend directly across the threshold between upstream and downstreamwand portions 440 and 444.

In the illustrated embodiment, doors 772 and 776 are pivotally mountedto wand 144 for movement between a closed position (see FIGS. 64 and67-69) in which doors 772 and 776 seal diversion outlet 704 and inlet708 respectively, and an open position (see FIGS. 66 and 71) in whichdoors 772 and 776 are open to allow air to flow through doors 772 and776 between wand 144 and cyclone bin assembly 160. Doors 772 and 776 maybe pivotally mounted to wand 144 in any suitable manner. In the exampleshown, doors 772 and 776 are pivotally mounted to wand 144 by a commonhinge 780. As shown, door 772 may pivot inwardly about hinge 780 towarda downstream direction, and door 776 may pivot inwardly about hinge 780toward an upstream direction. In alternative embodiments, each of doors772 and 776 may be pivotally mounted to wand 144 by a different hinge.

Preferably, doors 772 and 776 open automatically by connecting cyclonebin assembly 160 to wand 144. In the illustrated example, cyclone binassembly 160 includes an inlet nose 784 for pushing open diversionoutlet door 772, and an outlet nose 788 for pushing open diversion inletdoor 776. As shown, noses 784 and 788 may extend outwardly of sidewall376 for projecting through diversion outlet and inlet 704 and 708respectively upon connecting cyclone bin assembly 160 to wand 144.

Preferably, when cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected to wand 144, anairflow path is formed between diversion outlet 704 and air inlet 316,and between diversion inlet 708 and air outlet 320, such that theairflow path from upstream wand portion 440 to downstream wand portion444 is reconfigured to extend through cyclone bin assembly 160. In theillustrated example, connecting cyclone bin assembly 160 to wand 144 mayinclude pushing noses 784 and 788 into diversion outlet and inlet 704and 708 respectively to open doors 772 and 776.

Noses 784 and 788 may take any suitable form. As exemplified, nose 784may be formed as a diversion member including an inlet passage having anupstream end 792 and a downstream end 796. Upstream end 792 may extendinto wand 144 and form a seal with upstream wand portion 440 to redirectthe airflow in upstream wand portion 440 to enter nose 784 towarddownstream end 796. In the illustrated embodiment, upstream wand portion440 includes a sealing ring 800 adjacent an upstream side 804 ofdiversion outlet door 772 onto which downstream end 796 may be seatedfor forming an airtight seal between upstream wand portion 440 anddownstream end 796. Alternatively, or in addition, upstream side 804 mayinclude a sealing member. Downstream end 796 of nose 784 may beintegrally formed or otherwise connected with air inlet 316.

In the illustrated example, nose 788 is formed as a triangular platewhich projects outwardly from air outlet 320. In other embodiments, nose788 may have another suitable form for pushing diversion inlet door 776,such as a circular or rectangular plate or a rod for example. As shown,when cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected to wand 144, nose 788projects into diversion inlet 708 pushing open diversion inlet door 776.This may permit air outlet 320 to sealingly abut diversion inlet 708 forforming an airflow path between air outlet 320 and downstream wandportion 444. Optionally, a seal 808 may be provided at the interfacebetween air outlet 320 and diversion inlet 708 for enhancing theairtightness of the connection.

It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, nose 788 may beformed as an outlet passage, which may be curved similar to nose 784.This may make the change in airflow direction across nose 788 lessabrupt, which may reduce pressure losses.

Preferably, when cyclone bin assembly 160 is disconnected from wand 144,doors 772 and 776 automatically close to reconfigure the airflow passageto extend directly from upstream wand portion 440 to downstream wandportion 444 without diversion through diversion outlet 704 or inlet 708.For example, doors 772 and 776 may be biased to the closed position by abiasing member, such as a spring. In the illustrated embodiment,diversion valve 712 includes a torsional spring 812. Spring 812 may bepositioned to bias both of doors 772 and 776 to the closed position. Inthe illustrated embodiment, spring 812 is held in a spring housing 816mounted to an inside face 820 of diversion outlet door 772. As shown,spring 812 may have an arm 824 connected to diversion inlet door 776,effectively biasing doors 772 and 776 away from each other to theirrespective closed positions. In alternative embodiments, each of doors772 and 776 may have a separate biasing member.

A diversion valve 712 according to a fourth embodiment is exemplified inFIGS. 72-77. Diversion valve 712 is similar to diversion valve 712 ofFIGS. 64-71 in many respects except, for example, the door whichselectively closes diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708.

In the illustrated embodiment, diversion valve 712 includes a door 772.Door 772 may be movable between a closed position (FIGS. 72 and 75) inwhich door 772 seals diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708, and an openposition (FIGS. 74 and 77) in which door 772 is unsealed from outlet 704and inlet 708 to allow the airflow to pass through diversion outlet 704and inlet 708. As exemplified, diversion valve 712 may include one door772 for closing both of diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708, or separatedoors 772 for diversion outlet 704 and inlet 708.

As shown, door 772 may be pivotally mounted to wand 144 in any suitablemanner for movement between the open and closed positions. For example,door 772 may be pivotally mounted outside of wand 144 by a hinge 780. Inthe illustrated example, door 772 may pivot outwardly about hinge 780away from wand 144 to the open position, and may pivot inwardly abouthinge 780 toward wand 144 to the closed position. Preferably, door 772is manually openable, whereby a user may grasp door 772 and manuallymove door 772 from the closed position to the open position. Forexample, door 772 may have a lever 840, a handle, or another grippingmember for a user to grasp for manipulating the position of door 772.

Once door 772 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 73 and 76, cyclone binassembly 160 may be connected to wand 144. In the illustratedembodiment, cyclone bin assembly 160 includes a diversion member 428 ofthe type describe above with reference to FIGS. 52-57. Diversion member428 may be moved into wand 144 through diversion outlet 704, diversioninlet 708, or another opening in wand 144, for dividing wand 144 into anupstream portion 440 and a downstream portion 444, substantially asdescribed above.

When cyclone bin assembly 160 is disconnected from wand 144, door 772may be moved back into the closed position for reconfiguring the airflowpath in wand 144 to extend directly from upstream portion 440 todownstream portion 444 without diversion. For example, door 772 may bemanually moved from the open position to the closed position by hand, ordoor 772 may move automatically to the closed position by the bias of abiasing member (e.g. a spring).

In some embodiments, door 772 may be held in the closed position by thebias of a biasing member, or by a releasable locking mechanism (e.g. alatch). This may permit door 772 to form a tight seal against diversionoutlet 704 and inlet 708.

In some embodiments, pedal 720 may be foot operable and may be locatedclose to or on the surface cleaning head.

Angular Surface of Upright Section

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided having an uprightsection with a dirt collection chamber or cyclone bin assembly having aside profile that tapers or narrows from top to bottom. For example, therear wall of the supplemental dirt collection chamber or supplementalcyclone bin assembly may extend upwardly at an acute angle relative tothe wand axis such that the rear wall is farther from the wand axis atthe top end than at the bottom end of the dirt collection chamber orcyclone bin assembly. An advantage of this design is that the surfacecleaning apparatus may extend under furniture while providing a largedirt collection capacity.

As exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 7, surface cleaning apparatus 100 and 152include an upright section 108 having a dirt collection chamber 140 orcyclone bin assembly 160 that extends from a lower end 292, 856proximate surface cleaning head 104 to an upper end 596, 860. A rear end536, 548 of auxiliary assembly 140/160 may extend upwardly from lowerend 292 or 856 at a (non-zero) acute angle 848 to wand axis 568. Angle848 is preferably between 10 and 70 degrees, and more preferably between20 and 40 degrees. For example, a distance 538 between wand axis 568 andrear end 536, 548, measured normal to wand axis 568, may increasecontinually or generally continuously from lower end 292, 856 upwardly.As shown, distance 538 is greater at upper end 596. 860 than at lowerend 292, r 856.

Handvac With Angled Bottom Wall

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a handvac may be provided having a bottom, such as a flatbottom wall, for supporting the handvac on a horizontal surface, andwhich extends at an acute angle (e.g., between 20 and 40 degrees) awayfrom the inlet nozzle axis, and optionally at about the in-useorientation of the hand vac. This may provide the handvac with a restingorientation that is closer to or essentially at the in-use orientationof the handvac. For example, the in-use orientation of the handvac maynormally have the inlet nozzle axis extending at a downward anglerelative to a horizontal surface to be cleaned. Thus, a user may nothave to substantially reorient the handvac upon grasping the handvac inthe resting orientation to reposition the handvac into the in-useorientation.

Reference is now made FIG. 78, where handvac 112 is shown resting on ahorizontal surface 876. As shown, nozzle axis 884 extends at an angle880 to horizontal surface 876. Angle 880 may be an acute angle which maybe between 10 and 80 degrees, and preferably between 25 and 65 degrees,more preferably between 35 and 55 degrees or between 20 and 40 degrees.It will be appreciated that handvac 112 may be stably supported in anysuitable manner, with nozzle axis 884 extending at angle 880 tohorizontal surface 876. For example, handvac 112 may include one or moresupport elements (e.g. a wall or feet) which collectively provide asupport for handvac 112 on a horizontal planar surface at a desiredacute angle, and a center of gravity 524 vertically aligned with orbetween the support elements for stability when handvac 112 is sosupported by the support element(s) on the horizontal surface.

As exemplified, bottom wall 216 of handvac 112 may extend at an angle880 to inlet nozzle axis 884 of nozzle 412. Bottom wall 216 may beplanar, and the plane of bottom wall 216 may intersect with nozzle axis884 at angle 880. Bottom wall 216 may provide a flat planar surface formaking broad contiguous contact with horizontal surface 876, or bottomwall 216 may include a plurality of discrete contact points or surfaceswhich collectively contact the horizontal surface 876 to support thehandvac 112 (e.g. as in the feet of a tripod, or the wheels of a car).Preferably, handvac center of gravity 524 is preferably alignedvertically above bottom wall 216 when handvac 112 is supported onhorizontal surface 876 by bottom wall 216. This may permit handvac 112to rest stably (i.e. statically without tipping over) on horizontalsurface 876 while supported solely by bottom wall 216.

Handvac 112 may have an in-use orientation relative to horizontalsurface 876 at which a user may comfortably operate handvac 112 duringcleaning. Typically, handvac 112 is most comfortably operated in anorientation that does not require an application of torque by the user'shands when the handvac 112 is held by handle 484. This may be the casewhere the center of gravity 524 of the handvac 112 is aligned verticallybelow the user's hand. Accordingly, the center of gravity 524 may bevertically aligned below handle 484 in comfortable in-use orientationsof handvac 112.

Preferably, center of gravity 524 is aligned vertically below handle 484when handvac 112 is supported on horizontal surface 876. In theillustrated embodiment, center of gravity 524 is aligned verticallybelow handle 484 when bottom wall 216 is horizontal and supportinghandvac 112 on a horizontal surface 876. Thus, the resting orientationof handvac 112 supported by bottom wall 216 on a horizontal surface 876may be substantially the same as the in-use orientation of handvac 112.Accordingly, when a user grasps handvac 112 by handle 484 and liftshandvac 112, handvac 112 may already be in a balanced in-use positionwith the center of gravity 524 aligned below the user's hands.

In many cases, handvac 112 may be stored on a surface below a user'selbows. A user may angle their forearm downwardly to grasp handle 484 ofhandvac 112. In this case, the user's fingers and palm may be naturallyaligned for grasping a handle which is angled forwardly of vertical. Forexample, to grasp a vertically oriented handle that is positioned belowa user's elbow, a user may need to contort their wrist to conform to theorientation of the handle.

In the illustrated embodiment, handle axis 888 of handle 484 extends ata (non-zero) forward angle 892 to the vertical (e.g., e.g. when bottomwall 216 is horizontal). This may provide a comfortable handle alignmentfor grasping by a user when picking up handvac 112, and when usinghandvac 112 for cleaning surfaces below the user's elbows. Preferably,angle 892 is an acute angle of between 10 and 80 degrees, morepreferably between 20 and 70 degrees and most preferably between 30 and60 degrees.

Bottom wall 216 may be a wall of any component of handvac 112. In theillustrated embodiment, bottom wall 216 is a wall of cyclone binassembly 136. Preferably, bottom wall 216 is a wall of dirt collectionchamber 188. In the example shown, bottom wall 216 is an openable wallof dirt collection chamber 188. FIG. 79 shows another embodiment ofhandvac 112 where bottom wall 216 is not openable.

Referring to FIG. 78, bottom wall 216 of handvac 112 may include frontwheels, rear wheels, or both. Wheels may provide rolling support forhandvac 112 when cleaning under furniture, for example. In alternativeembodiments, handvac 112 may not include wheels on bottom wall 216 asshown.

Handle Position

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a floor cleaning apparatus is provided having a handvac witha handle, and an upright section with a cyclone bin assembly or dirtcollection chamber with a handle. Preferably, the handles are centrallyaligned with a plane of symmetry of the apparatus. This may permit thehandles to be grasped for a balanced control of the apparatus. Forexample, the handles may be parallel to the same plane of symmetry.

Alternately, as exemplified in FIG. 2, one handle may be parallel to aplane of symmetry and the other transverse thereto but positioned suchthat the plane of symmetry extends through the transversely orientedhandle. In the illustrated example, handvac 112 includes a handle 484which extends along a handle axis 888. As exemplified, handle axis 888may lie in a vertical plane 1044, which is aligned centrally betweenleft and right sides of apparatus 100 (i.e., a plane of symmetry).Turning to FIG. 78, handle 484 is shown extending in length between afirst handle end 1048 at the upper end 1052 of handvac 112, and a secondhandle end 1056 intermediate the upper and lower ends 1052 and 1060 ofhandvac 112.

Returning to FIG. 2, assembly 140 is shown including a handle 1064. Asillustrated, handle 1064 may have a handle axis 1068 which extendsperpendicularly or transverse to plane 1044 and handle axis 888. Handle1064 may be formed in a rear end 536 of assembly 140. For example,handle 1064 may be flush with rear end 536 and include a concave fingercavity 1072 to facilitate grasping handle 1064. Preferably, handle 1064is positioned laterally centrally such that plane 1044 intersects handle1064, and optionally bisects handle 1064 at a midpoint between handleends 1076 and 1080.

Handles 484 and 1064 may be positioned on opposite sides of surfacecleaning apparatus 100. For example, handle 484 is shown extending froman upper end 1052 proximate the front surface of apparatus 100, andhandle 1064 is shown extending flush with a rear surface of apparatus100.

Apparatus 100 may include one or more actuator controls (e.g. buttons,levers, or switches) for controlling various functionality such asopening or disconnected elements, or connecting power to elements.Preferably, at least some of the actuator controls are positioned on orwithin finger reach of a handle to permit the control to be activatedwhile grasping the handle. This may permit single handed operation ofthe function provided by the control.

Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 100 is shown including a power switch1084 located on upper end 1052 of handvac 112 proximate first handle end1048 within finger-reach when grasping handvac handle 484. Asillustrated, power switch 1084 may be laterally centrally positionedsuch that plane 1044 intersects and more preferably bisects power switch1084.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, apparatus 168 is shown including anupright section 108 having a cyclone bin assembly 160 with a handle 616,and handvac 112 with handle 484. As shown, handle axis 1092 of handle616, and handle axis 888 of handvac handle 484 may extend in a sameplane 1096. Preferably, plane 1096 is a vertical plane positionedlaterally centrally between left and right sides of apparatus 168 asshown. In the illustrated embodiment, plane 1096 bisects handles 616 and484.

In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 112 includes a power switch 1084located on upper end 1052 of handvac 112 which is bisected by plane1044. Handle 616 of cyclone bin assembly 160 is also shown including abutton 1100 for releasing latch 744 to disconnect cyclone bin assembly160 from wand 144. As illustrated, button 1100 may be positionedlaterally centrally between left and right sides of apparatus 168 suchthat button 1100 is bisected by plane 1096.

Handvac Axial Alignment

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a plurality of airflow path segments in the handvac mayextend in parallel. In some cases, this may reduce the number of bendsin the airflow path through the handvac, which may reduce the pressuredrop across the airflow path.

As exemplified in FIG. 96, handvac inlet nozzle 412 may extend in lengthfrom an upstream nozzle end 416 rearwardly along a nozzle axis 884,handvac cyclone chamber 184 may extend from an air inlet 192 along acyclone axis 248 to an air outlet 196, and handvac suction motor 204 mayextend from a motor inlet 1108 along a motor axis 252 to a motor outlet1112.

In some embodiments, two or more of nozzle axis 884, cyclone axis 248,and motor axis 252 may be parallel. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, nozzle axis 884, cyclone axis 248, and motor axis 252 areparallel. In some embodiments, two or more of nozzle axis 884, cycloneaxis 248, and motor axis 252 may be co-axial. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, nozzle axis 884 and cyclone axis 248 areco-axial. In other embodiments, nozzle axis 884, cyclone axis 248, andmotor axis 252 may all be co-axial.

In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 112 may include an electricalconnector 1116 for providing power to an upstream attachment (e.g. asurface cleaning head). As shown, connector 1116 may extend from a frontconnector end 1120 along a connector axis 1124 to a rear connector end1128. In some embodiments, connector axis 1124 may be parallel to one ormore of nozzle axis 884, cyclone axis 248, and motor axis 252. In theillustrated embodiment, connector axis 1124 is parallel to nozzle axis884, cyclone axis 248, and motor axis 252.

In some embodiments, handvac 112 may include one or more electricalcables 1132 which extend from electrical connector 1116 rearwardly toelectrically couple electrical connector 1116 with a source of power(not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, electrical cables 1132extend from electrical connector 1116 rearwardly along vortex finder1136 of cyclone chamber 184 toward motor housing 1138. As shown, atleast the portion of electrical cables 1132 which along vortex finder1136 across cyclone chamber 184 is parallel to cyclone axis 248.

Axial Cyclone Inlet

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a handvac may be provided having a cyclone chamber with anaxial inlet. That is, the inlet axis may be parallel to the cycloneaxis, and more preferably co-axial with the cyclone axis. In some cases,this may reduce the bends in the airflow path through the cyclone, whichmay reduce the pressure drop across the cyclone for better pneumaticefficiency. Preferably, the cyclone is a uniflow cyclone wherein the airoutlet is at the opposite end from the air inlet. Alternately, or inaddition, the axial inlet includes a portion that converts the axialflow to a tangential flow wherein the portion is provided within thediameter of the cyclone chamber. Optionally, the axial inlet is parallelto and may be co-axial with the handvac air inlet.

As exemplified in FIG. 96, handvac cyclone chamber 184 includes an airinlet 192 and an air outlet 196. As shown, air inlet 192 may include aninlet axis 1140 which is parallel to cyclone axis 248. Air inlet 192 mayhave a circular section transverse to axis 1140 with an inlet diameter1144, or rectangular with a side dimension 1144. Preferably, thecross-sectional area of air inlet 192 is approximately equal to thecross-sectional area of inlet nozzle 412. Preferably, thecross-sectional area of air inlet 192 is between 80%-125% of thecross-sectional area of the inlet nozzle 412, more preferably 90%-120%,and most preferably 100%-115%.

Preferably, inlet 192 is in fluid communication with an upstream end 388of an inlet passage 384. Inlet passage 384 may redirect the axial flowthrough inlet 192 to a tangential flow for developing a cyclonic motioninside cyclone chamber 184. Referring to FIGS. 23 and 23 a, inletpassage 384 may extend from upstream passage end 388 to downstreampassage end 396 across an arcuate angular extent 1148. Preferablyangular extent 1148 is between 45 and 300°, more preferably between 60and 250°, and most preferably between 90 and 200°.

Returning to FIG. 96, inlet passage 384 is shown having a width 1152,and a height 1108. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area ofinlet passage 384 may be approximately equal to the cross-sectional areaof air inlet 192. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of inlet passage384 is between 80%-125% of the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage384, more preferably 90%-120%, and most preferably 100%-115%.

Vortex finder 1136 may define an outlet passage to air outlet 196 ofcyclone chamber 184. As shown, vortex finder 1136 may be substantiallycylindrical having a diameter 1160. In the illustrated embodiment, thecross-sectional area of vortex finder 1136 may be approximately equal tothe cross-sectional area of inlet nozzle 412. For example, diameter 1160may be approximately equal to diameter 1164 of inlet nozzle 412.Preferably, the cross-sectional area of vortex finder 1136 is between80%-125% of the cross-sectional area of the inlet nozzle 412, morepreferably 90%-120%, and most preferably 100%-115%.

Uniflow Cyclone

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a handvac may be provided having a cyclone chamber whereinthe air outlet is at the opposite end from the air inlet. In some cases,this may reduce the bends in the airflow path through the cyclone, whichmay reduce the pressure drop across the cyclone for better pneumaticefficiency. Optionally, the cyclone inlet is at the front or inlet endof the handvac and may be parallel to or co-axial with the handvac airinlet.

As exemplified in FIG. 96, handvac inlet 192 is shown positioned at afront end 220 of cyclone chamber 184, and outlet 196 is shown positionedat a rear end 224 of cyclone chamber 184. Inlet 192 may have an inletaxis 1140 that is parallel to the outlet axis 1168 of air outlet 196. Inthe illustrated embodiment, inlet axis 1140 is co-axial with outlet axis1168.

Optionally, the suction motor axis may be parallel to or co-axial withaxis 1140, 1168. Accordingly, air may travel in a generally uniformdirection through the components of the handvac.

Handvac Cyclone Dirt Collection Chamber

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the dirt collection chamber of the handvac may have a dirtinlet which is located at the upper end of the dirt collection chamberwhen the hand vac is oriented for cleaning a floor (see e.g., FIGS. 81and 103). In addition, the dirt collection chamber may be shaped toencourage dirt to collect at another end of the handvac away from thedirt outlet of the cyclone chamber (e.g., it may extend downwardly awayfrom the dirt inlet). This may clear the dirt inlet to permit additionaldirt to enter.

As exemplified in FIG. 96, dirt may enter dirt collection chamber 188from cyclone chamber 184 through dirt outlet 200 of cyclone chamber 184.In the illustrated embodiment, dirt outlet 200 is at a rear end 224 ofcyclone chamber 184. In use, handvac 112 may be normally oriented withthe nozzle 412 at the front end oriented downwardly for cleaning asurface below. Accordingly, dirt entering dirt collection chamber 188from dirt outlet 200 may fall by gravity toward front end 220 of dirtcollection chamber 188 away from dirt outlet 200. This may help to keepdirt outlet 200 clear for subsequent dirt to move through dirt outlet200 during use.

In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 112 may be supportable on ahorizontal surface 876 by contact between dirt collection chamber 188and the horizontal surface 876. For example, dirt collection chamber 188may include a bottom wall 216 for supporting handvac 112 on horizontalsurface 876. Preferably, as discussed previously, handvac 112 isinclined with nozzle 412 facing downwardly when handvac 112 is supportedon horizontal surface 876 by bottom wall 216. In the illustratedembodiment, bottom wall 216 is angled downwardly between front end 220and rear end 224 for orienting nozzle axis 884 downwardly to horizontalwhen handvac 112 is supported on horizontal surface 876. As shown, thismay provide dirt collection chamber 188 with a wedge-like shape having aheight 1172 measured between upper and lower dirt collection chamberwalls 226 and 216 which increases from the front end 220 to the rear end224.

Pre-Motor Filter Housing

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, a pre-motor filter housing may be provided in the airflowpath between the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor fordirecting the airflow through one or more pre-motor filters containedtherein.

As exemplified in FIGS. 96 and 117, handvac 112 has a pre-motor filterchamber 556 containing pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180, and a suctionmotor housing 1138 containing suction motor 204. The airflow path frominlet nozzle 412 to clean air outlet 132 may extend downstream fromcyclone bin assembly 136 to pre-motor filter chamber 556 to suctionmotor housing 1138. That is, cyclone bin assembly 136, pre-motor filterchamber 556, and suction motor housing 1138 may be positioned in theairflow path with pre-motor filter chamber 556 downstream of cyclone binassembly 136 and suction motor housing 1138 downstream of pre-motorfilter chamber 556.

In the illustrated example, pre-motor filter chamber 556 extends inheight 1184 between an upper end 1188 to a lower end 1192 in thedirection of pre-motor filter axis 560, and extends in depth 1216between front wall 1220 and rear wall 1224. In some embodiments, cycloneaxis 248 and motor axis 252 may be parallel and vertically offset asshown. For example, each of cyclone axis 248 and motor axis 252 mayintersect pre-motor filter chamber 556 as shown. In some embodiments,outlet axis 1168 of cyclone chamber outlet 196 and, motor inlet axis1196 of motor inlet 1108 may be parallel and vertically offset. Forexample, each of outlet axis 1168 and motor inlet axis 1196 mayintersect pre-motor filter chamber 556 as shown.

In some embodiments, cyclone chamber outlet 196 discharges air fromcyclone chamber 184 into pre-motor filter chamber 556, and pre-motorfilter chamber 556 discharges air into motor inlet 1108. For example,cyclone chamber outlet 196 may be positioned at the threshold betweencyclone chamber 184 and pre-motor filter chamber 556, and motor inlet1108 may be positioned at the threshold between pre-motor filter chamber556 and suction motor housing 1138. In alternative embodiments, one ormore conduits (not shown) may separate pre-motor filter chamber 556 fromcyclone chamber outlet 196 and/or motor inlet 1108.

In the illustrated embodiment, pre-motor filter chamber 556 extends inlength between a front end 1200 and a rear end 1204. As shown, pre-motorfilter chamber 556 may hold pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180 in theairflow path between cyclone chamber outlet 196 and motor inlet 1108 forfiltering residual dirt particles remaining in the airflow. In someembodiments, pre-motor filter chamber 556 may hold pre-motor filters1176 and 1180 in spaced apart relation to front and rear ends 1200 and1204. An upstream plenum 1208 may be provided in the space betweenupstream pre-motor filter 1176 and front end 1200. A downstream plenum1212 may be provided in the space between downstream pre-motor filter1176 and rear end 1204. Air entering upstream plenum 1208 from cyclonebin assembly 136 may distribute across the surface area of pre-motorfilter 1176 for traversing filters 1176 and 1180 to downstream plenum1212.

In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone chamber outlet 196 may direct airinto an upper portion of upstream plenum 1208. For example, cyclonechamber outlet 196 may be connected to pre-motor filter chamber 556proximate upper end 1188. In the illustrated embodiment, motor inlet1108 may receive air from a lower portion of downstream plenum 1212. Forexample, motor inlet 1108 may be connected to pre-motor filter chamber556 proximate lower end 1192. Accordingly, pre-motor filter chamber 556may be used to redirect the air from transversely to the cyclone andmotor axis without requiring conduits having bends therein.

Battery Power

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the surface cleaning head or upright section of the surfacecleaning apparatus may include one or more batteries for powering thehandvac when the handvac is connected to the surface cleaning head orupright section. The handvac may also include handvac batteries whichmay power the handvac when connected to or disconnected from the uprightsection and surface cleaning head (e.g. in an above-floor cleaning modeor handvac mode). When the handvac is electrically connected to thesurface cleaning head, the batteries in the surface cleaning head maysupplement the batteries in the handvac or be the sole power source.

As exemplified in FIG. 3, surface cleaning apparatus 100 (or any othersurface cleaning apparatus embodiment disclosed herein) may include oneor more handvac batteries 1268 mounted to the handvac 112, and one moresupplemental batteries 1272. Supplemental batteries 1272 may be mountedto any other suitable component of apparatus 100 other than handvac 112.For example, supplemental batteries 1272 are shown mounted to surfacecleaning head 104. Alternatively or additionally, supplemental batteries1272 may be mounted to upright section 108.

As used herein, the plural term “batteries” means one or more batteries.For example, supplemental batteries 1272 may be one battery or aplurality of batteries. Similarly, handvac batteries 1268 may be onebattery or a plurality of batteries. Batteries 1272 and 1268 may be anysuitable form of battery such as NiCad, NiMH, or lithium batteries, forexample. Preferably, batteries 1272 and 1268 are rechargeable, however,in alternative embodiments, one or both of batteries 1272 and 1268 maybe non-rechargeable single-use batteries.

In the illustrated embodiment, when handvac 112 is connected to uprightsection 108, an electrical connection may be formed between supplementalbatteries 1272 and handvac 112, e.g. for powering suction motor 204.

In some embodiments, supplemental batteries 1272 may provide handvac 112with enhanced power for generating greater suction with suction motor204. For example, suction motor 204 may operate in a high powerconsumption mode, drawing power from supplemental batteries 1272, orsupplemental batteries 1272 and handvac batteries 1268 simultaneously.

In some embodiments, supplemental batteries 1272 may provide the handvac112 with extra energy for prolonged cleaning time between charges. Forexample, supplemental batteries 1272 may have a greater energy capacity(e.g. measured in Watt-hours) than handvac batteries 1268, such thathandvac 112 may be sustained by supplemental batteries 1272 for a longeroperating time. In some embodiments, handvac 112 may draw power fromboth of supplemental batteries 1272 and handvac batteries 1268, whichhave a greater combined energy storage capacity than handvac batteries1268 alone.

In some embodiments, supplemental batteries 1272 may supply power to thehandvac in preference to the handvac batteries 1268 to delay or avoiddraining the handvac batteries 1268. For example, handvac 112 may drawpower from supplemental batteries 1272 until substantially depletedbefore drawing power from handvac batteries 1268. This may conservepower in handvac batteries 1268 for use when handvac 112 is disconnectedfrom supplemental batteries 1272 (e.g. in an above-floor cleaning mode,or handvac mode of apparatus 100). In some embodiments, handvac 112 maynever draw power from handvac batteries 1268 when handvac 112 iselectrically connected to supplemental batteries 1272.

In some embodiments, handvac 112 may draw power from supplementalbatteries 1272 to recharge handvac batteries 1268. This may help toensure that handvac batteries 1268 are not depleted when handvac 112 isdisconnected from supplemental batteries 1272 (e.g. for use in anabove-floor cleaning mode, or handvac mode of apparatus 100). In somecases, supplemental batteries 1272 may recharge handvac batteries 1268only when apparatus 100 is not turned on.

In some embodiments, supplemental batteries 1272 may be rechargedwhenever the surface cleaning apparatus is connected to an externalpower outlet. In some cases, handvac batteries 1268 may be rechargedwhen handvac 112 is electrically connected to an external power outlet(e.g. when surface cleaning head 104 or upright section 108 is connectedto a power outlet by an electrical cord (not shown), and handvac 112 isconnected to the surface cleaning head 104 or upright section 108).

In some embodiments, one or more of supplemental batteries 1272 andhandvac batteries 1268 may be positioned in the airflow path. This mayprovide cooling for the batteries so positioned, which may help toprevent the batteries from overheating and may improve the performanceof the batteries. In the illustrated example, handvac batteries 1268 arepositioned in the airflow path inside motor housing 1138. For example,handvac batteries 1268 may be positioned inside motor housing 1138between suction motor 204 and clean air outlet 132. The air passing overthe handvac batteries 1268 may help to keep the batteries 1268 cool.

Supplemental batteries 1272 may be positioned in the airflow path topromote cooling of the batteries 1272. In the illustrated example,supplemental batteries 1272 are shown positioned inside surface cleaninghead 104 in the airflow path between dirty air inlet 124 and downstreamend 1240. The air passing over batteries 1272 may help to keep batteries1272 cool.

In alternative embodiments, one or both of supplemental batteries 1272and handvac batteries 1268 may be positioned outside of the airflow path(e.g. to be cooled passively).

Handvac Wheels

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the handvac may be provided with one or more sets of wheels,and a handle which may articulate to facilitate different cleaningpostures.

As exemplified in FIGS. 106-109, surface cleaning apparatus 1292 mayinclude a surface cleaning head 104, an upright section 108 (which mayreceive any assembly 140, 160 discussed previously), and a handvac 112.An airflow path through apparatus 1292 may extend from dirty air inlet124 in surface cleaning head 104, downstream through upright section 108and then handvac 112 to clean air outlet 1304. Upright section 108 mayinclude a wand 144 having an upstream end 360 drivingly connected to apivot joint 116 of surface cleaning head 104, and a downstream end 364connected to an inlet nozzle 412 of handvac 112.

Handvac 112 may include an air treatment member positioned in theairflow path between inlet nozzle 412 for separating dirt from theairflow. In the illustrated example, handvac 112 includes a cyclone binassembly 136 including a cyclone chamber 184, and a dirt collectionchamber 188. Optionally, a bottom wall 216 of dirt collection chamber188 may be pivotally openable for emptying dirt collection chamber 188.

As exemplified, apparatus 1292 may be movable between an upright storageposition (FIG. 106) in which handvac 112 is substantially verticallyaligned above surface cleaning head 104 and wand 144 is substantiallyvertically oriented, and an in-use floor cleaning position (FIG. 108) inwhich surface cleaning head 104 is positioned behind surface cleaninghead 104 and wand 144 extends at an angle to vertical.

In the illustrated example, apparatus 1292 may include a handle 1340.Handle 1340 may be connected to wand 144 by an arm assembly 1344. Asshown, arm assembly 1344 may include a first arm 1348 joined to a secondarm 1352 by an articulating joint 1356. First arm 1348 may be connectedto wand 144 and joint 1356, and second arm 1352 may be connected tohandle 1340. Alternately, joint 1356 may be used to connect second arm1352 to wand 144.

As shown, first arm 1348 may be rigidly connected to wand 144, andextend transversely to wand 144. For example, first arm 1348 may extendperpendicularly to wand 144. Second arm 1352 may be rotatable aboutjoint 1356 between at least two positions. In the first position (FIG.108), second arm 1352 may extend at an angle to first arm 1348substantially in parallel with wand 144. In the second position (FIG.109), second arm 1352 may extend substantially parallel to first arm1348. An actuator (e.g., a button) 1358 may be provided on handle 1340for toggle joint 1356 between an unlocked position in which second arm1352 can move with respect to first arm 1348, and a locked position inwhich the position of second arm 1352 is fixed with respect to first arm1348. Optionally, joint 1356 may be locked in a number of alternatepositions. Alternately, joint 1356 may not be locked in the second bentposition shown in FIG. 109.

The first position (FIG. 108) may be suitable for cleaning open areaswhere vertical clearance is not an issue. The second position (FIG. 109)may be suitable for cleaning under furniture and the like, where wand144 must be lowered to clear the furniture height. In the secondposition, the orientation of second arm 1352 may permit a user to grasphandle 1340 and lower wand 144 while conveniently standing upright.

In some embodiments, handvac 112 may include one or more front wheels1364. Front wheel 1364 may be positioned to make rolling contact with ahorizontal surface when wand 144 is lowered sufficiently. Thus, frontwheel 1364 may assist with supporting the weight of handvac 112 andpermit handvac 112 to roll across the horizontal surface. In theillustrated example, a front end 1360 of bottom wall 216 is providedwith one or more front wheels 1364.

It will be appreciated that if rear end of assembly 140,160 is taperedas discussed previously, then assembly 140, 160 is configured to permitthe vacuum cleaner to extend further under furniture than if theassembly 140, 160 had the depth (front to back when in an uprightstorage position) as the upper end of the assembly 140, 160.

Openable Handvac Cyclone Bin Assembly

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the cyclone bin assembly of the handvac may be opened toempty the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber, to accessthe pre-motor filter or access a door to open the cyclone chamber and/orthe dirt collection chamber by moving part or all of the cyclone binassembly relative to a main body of the handvac which include thesuction motor while the parts remain connected together. For example,the parts may be pivotally mounted to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 110a and 110b , front portion 1372 of handvac 112 maybe pivotally connected to rear portion 1376 of handvac 112 for pivotingbetween the open position shown and a closed position. In the openposition, cyclone bin assembly 136 may be accessible, e.g. for emptyingor cleaning.

Front portion 1372 may be pivotally connected to rear portion 1376 inany suitable fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, front portion 1372is pivotally connected to rear portion 1376 by a hinge 1380 for rotationabout a hinge axis 1384 between the open and closed positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, front portion 1372 and rear portion 1376separate at the interface between cyclone bin assembly 136 and pre-motorfilter chamber 556. For example, front portion 1372 may include cyclonebin assembly 136 except for second end wall 224, and rear portion mayinclude pre-motor filter chamber 556 and second end wall 224 of cyclonebin assembly 136. Accordingly, in the open position, access may beprovided to empty and clean dirt collection chamber 188 and cyclonechamber 184 of cyclone bin assembly 136.

Referring to FIG. 116, in some embodiments handvac 112 may include ahandle assembly 300 including handle 484 and suction motor 204. Asexemplified, handle assembly 300 and rear wall 1224 of pre-motor filterchamber 556 may be removable from (entirely, or pivotally connected to)pre-motor filter chamber 556 as a unit to access the pre-motor filters1176 and 1180 inside pre-motor filter chamber 556, e.g. for cleaning orreplacement. As shown in FIG. 117, in some embodiments, handle assembly300 may also be removably connected to rear wall 1224. In alternativeembodiments, handle assembly 300 may be permanently connected to rearwall 1224.

Openable Dirt Collection Chamber

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the supplemental assembly may have a top and/or bottomopenable portion.

As exemplified in FIGS. 111-113, dirt collection assembly 140 is shownincluding an upper portion 276 in an open position. Upper portion 276may be moveably connected to (e.g., pivotally) or removable from dirtcollection assembly 140 in any suitable manner. As exemplified, upperportion 276 may be connected to dirt collection chamber 140 by a hinge1392 for rotation about a hinge axis 1(not shown) between the open andclosed positions.

Upper portion 276 may be retained in the closed position in any suitablefashion. In the illustrated example, dirt collection chamber 140includes a latch 1400 for securing upper portion 276 in the closedposition. Latch 1400 may be user operable for selectively releasingupper portion 276 for movement to the open position.

As exemplified in FIGS. 114 and 115, upright section 108 of surfacecleaning apparatus 152 is shown including a cyclone bin assembly 160.Cyclone bin assembly 160 is preferably openable for accessing cyclonechamber 308 and dirt collection chamber 141, e.g. for cleaning oremptying. Preferably, an upper and/or lower portion of cyclone binassembly 160 may be openable. In the illustrated embodiment, uprightsection 108 includes an upper portion 1408 and a lower portion 1412. Asshown, upper portion 1408 may be moveably connected to (e.g.,pivotallyconnected to) or removable from lower portion 1412 for movement been aclosed position (FIG. 114) and an open position (FIG. 115).

Upper portion 1408 may be pivotally connected to lower portion 1412 inany suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, lower portion 1412is pivotally connected to lower portion 1412 by a hinge 1416 forrotation about a hinge axis 1420 between the closed and open positions.

Upper portion 1408 may be retained in the closed position in anysuitable manner. For example, upper portion 108 may include a releasablecatch for selectively securing upper portion 1408 to lower portion 1412in the closed position.

Handvac Cyclone Bin Assembly Bypass

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be usedby itself or in combination with any one or more other aspects of thisdisclosure, the cyclonic air treatment member of the handvac may bebypassed when a supplemental cyclonic bin assembly is provided. This mayprevent accumulation of dirt in the handvac so that the handvac may havemore or all of its dirt collection capacity available when disconnectedfrom the upright section. Alternately or in addition, a pre-motor filterof handvac 112 may be bypassed when a supplemental cyclonic bin assemblyis provided. For example, the supplemental cyclonic bin assembly may beprovided with a pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter may have a largersurface area than the pre-motor filter of handvac 112. Accordingly, bybypassing the pre-motor filter of handvac 112, the pre-motor filter ofhandvac 112 may only be used in an above floor cleaning mode therebyextending the useable time of the pre-motor filter of handvac 112 beforecleaning or replacement may be needed.

Referring to FIGS. 99-101, handvac 112 may include a primary airflowpath 1228 and a bypass airflow path 1232. As shown, primary airflow path1228 may extend from air inlet 192 through cyclone bin assembly 136 tosuction motor 204, and bypass airflow path 1232 may extend from airinlet 192 to suction motor 204 bypassing cyclone bin assembly 136. Insome embodiments, bypass airflow path 1232 may extend through thepre-motor filters of pre-motor filter chamber 556, and in otherembodiments, bypass airflow path 1232 may bypass pre-motor filters ofpre-motor filter chamber 556. It will be appreciated that the cycloneand/or the pre-motor filter of the handvac may be bypassed. If both arebypassed, then the handvac may be used to provide some or all of themotive force to draw air through apparatus 168 but not any air treatmentupstream of the suction motor.

In the illustrated embodiment, bypass airflow path 1232 is formed inpart by a bypass passage 1236. Bypass passage 1236 may have an upstreamend 1238 in airflow communication with handvac inlet 416, and adownstream end 1240 in airflow communication with motor inlet 1108. Asexemplified by the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 101, upstream end 1238may be formed in a sidewall of handvac nozzle 412, and downstream end1239 may be formed in a wall of premotor filter chamber 556. In someembodiments, downstream end 1239 may direct air from bypass passage 1236into upstream plenum 1208 for routing bypass airflow path 1228 throughpre-motor filters 1176 and 1180 as shown. In alternative embodiments,downstream end 1239 may direct air from bypass passage 1236 intodownstream plenum 1212 for bypassing pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180.

As exemplified, apparatus 168 may include a bypass valve 1240 forselectively opening and closing primary and bypass airflow paths 1228and 1232. Bypass valve 1240 may be positioned in any one or more ofhandvac 112, wand 144, and supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160, andmay take any suitable form. For example, in some embodiments bypassvalve 1240 may include components parts positioned in two or more ofhandvac 112, wand 144, and supplemental cyclone bin assembly 108 whichcooperate and interact to open and close primary and bypass airflowpaths 1228 and 1232.

In the illustrated embodiment bypass valve 1240 is positioned in inletnozzle 412 of handvac 112. Bypass valve 1240 may be movable between afirst position (FIGS. 99 and 100) in which bypass airflow path 1232 isclosed and primary airflow path 1228 is open, and a second position(FIG. 101) in which bypass airflow path 1232 is open and primary airflowpath 1228 is closed.

As exemplified in FIGS. 99-101, bypass valve 1240 may include a wheel1242, a door 1244, and an actuator 1246. Wheel 1242 may be rotatablyconnected to nozzle 412 for rotation about its center. Door 1244 may berigidly connected to wheel 1242 for rotation as one with wheel 1242. Forexample, door 1244 and wheel 1242 may rotate together as a unit. Asshown, door 1244 and wheel 1242 may be rotatable between a firstposition (FIGS. 99 and 100) in which door 1244 seals an upstream end1238 of bypass passage 1236, and a second position (FIG. 101) in whichdoor 1244 seals an air inlet 192 of cyclone chamber 184.

As exemplified, actuator 1246 may include an upper end 1248 connected towheel 1242 radially outboard of the center of wheel 1242. Actuator 1246may be movable vertically between a lowered position (FIGS. 99 and 100),and a raised position (FIG. 101). As shown, moving actuator 1246 fromthe lowered position to the raised position may rotate wheel 1242 anddoor 1244 clockwise which may move door 1244 to the second position(FIG. 101) in which door 1244 seals air inlet 192 of cyclone chamber184. Further, moving actuator 1246 from the raised position to thelowered may rotate wheel 1242 and door 1244 counter clockwise which maymove door 1244 to the first position (FIGS. 99 and 100) in which door1244 seals upstream end 1238 of bypass passage 1236.

In some embodiments, actuator 1246 may be biased to the lowered position(FIGS. 99 and 100). Consequently, door 1244 and wheel 1242 may be biasedto the first position (FIGS. 99 and 100) in which door 1244 seals anupstream end 1238 of bypass passage 1236. Actuator 1246 may be biased inany suitable fashion, such as by a linear coil spring 1250. Inalternative embodiments, wheel 1242 may be biased clockwise in asuitable manner, such as by a torsional spring.

Actuator 1246 may have a lower end 1252 which extends outside of theairflow path. Lower end 1252 may be acted upon to move actuator 1246vertically from the lowered position to the raised position for openingbypass airflow path 1232 and closing primary airflow path 1228. Asshown, when handvac 112 is disconnected from wand 144 (FIG. 99), bypassvalve 1240 may close the bypass airflow path 1232 (e.g. under the biasof spring 1250). Further, when handvac 112 is connected to wand 144without supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 (FIG. 100), bypass valve120 may also close the bypass airflow path 1232. In each of these cases,the air entering handvac 112 is directed through handvac cyclone binassembly 136 to separate dirt from the airflow. This may permit handvac112 to operate when disconnected from supplemental cyclone bin assembly160.

As shown in FIG. 101, when handvac 112 and cyclone bin assembly 160 areboth connected to wand 144, an upper end 1254 of cyclone bin assembly160 (handle 1254 in the illustrated example) may push against actuatorlower end 1252 thereby moving actuator 1246 upwardly. This may rotatewheel 1242 and door 1244 counter clockwise, opening bypass airflow path1232 and closing primary airflow path 1228. As shown, air exitingcyclone bin assembly 160 may travel through bypass airflow path 1232toward suction motor 204 bypassing cyclone chamber 184. This may permitsupplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 to separate and collect dirt fromthe airflow path instead of handvac cyclone bin assembly 136. In turn,this may inhibit dirt accumulation in handvac dirt collection chamber188, which may help to maximize the available dirt collection capacityof handvac dirt collection chamber 188 when the user chooses todisconnect cyclone bin assembly 160.

In the illustrated example, lower end 1252 is sloped. This may permitsupplemental bin assembly 160 to be toed into wand 144 and then rotatedhorizontally towards wand 144 to complete the connection with wand 144,whereby the upper end 1254 of supplemental bin assembly 160 may ride theslope of lower end 1252 to push actuator 1246 upwardly.

Accordingly, bypass valve 1240 may be actuated to reconfigure theairflow path through handvac 112 automatically upon connecting anddisconnecting supplemental bin assembly 160 from airflow communicationwith handvac 112. For example, bypass valve 1240 may be biased to closebypass airflow path 1232 whenever handvac 112 is not in airflowcommunication with supplemental bin assembly 160 so that the airtreatment member of handvac 112 may separate dirt from the airflow.Similarly, bypass valve 1240 may be configured to open bypass airflowpath 1232 and close primary airflow path 1228 whenever handvac 112 is inairflow communication with supplemental bin assembly 160 so that the airtreatment member of handvac 112 does not separate and store dirt fromthe airflow.

The following is a description of numerous embodiments of surfacecleaning apparatus 168. In the figures associated with some embodiments,a bypass valve 1232 and/or a diversion valve 712 may be representedschematically. It will be appreciated that the embodiments may bepracticed using the bypass valves 1232 and/or diversion valves 712described above, or other suitable valves.

Referring to FIG. 102, in some embodiments supplemental cyclone binassembly 160 may include one or more pre-motor filters 1256 (hereinafter referred to as pre-motor filter 1256 in the singular) positionedin the airflow path. Preferably, pre-motor filter 1256 is positioneddownstream of cyclone chamber 308. As shown, pre-motor filter 1256 maybe positioned between cyclone chamber air outlet 320 and outlet passage476.

In some embodiments, pre-motor filter 1256 may separate fine dirtparticles from the airflow in substitution for the pre-motor filters1176 and 1180 of handvac 112. As shown, bypass valve 1232 may divert airfrom supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 into a bypass airflow pathwhich bypasses handvac cyclone bin assembly 136 and pre-motor filters1176 and 1180. For example, downstream end of 1239 of bypass passage1236 may direct the bypass airflow path 1232 to downstream plenum 1212for bypassing pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180.

It will be appreciated that a pre-motor filter will have a certainfiltering capacity of fine particles at which point the filter should becleaned or replaced. By incorporating a pre-motor filter into thesupplemental cyclone bin assembly 160, and using this filter wheneverthe supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 is connected to the handvac,the filtering capacity of the handvac pre-motor filters may bepreserved. This may permit extended use of the handvac pre-motor filtersbefore they require cleaning or replacement.

It will also be appreciated that there will be a measurable pressuredrop across a pre-motor filter placed in an airflow path. If positionedin series, too many filters may produce a pressure drop that materiallyreduces air flow at the dirty air inlet. By filtering the airflowalternately by the supplemental pre-motor filter 1256 and by the handvacpre-motor filter when the handvac is used without assembly 140, 160attached the operational life of the handvac pre-motor filter may beextended.

As exemplified in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 103, surface cleaninghead 104 may include a second suction motor 1258. Second suction motor1258 may operate in parallel with or alternately instead of handvacsuction motor 204 when handvac 112 is attached in flow communicationwith surface cleaning head 104. For example, a portion of air exitingsupplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 may proceed to handvac suctionmotor 204 and a different portion may proceed to second suction motor1258. In the illustrated embodiment, a second airflow path 1260 fromdiversion valve 712 to second suction motor 1258 is formed by an airflowconduit 1262 which connects diversion valve 712 to surface cleaning head104.

As shown, when supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 is in airflowcommunication with handvac 112, the airflow path extends through the airtreatment member(s) of supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 (e.g.cyclone chamber 308 and pre-motor filter 1256) and then divides into twoparallel air flow paths 1232 and 1260. Bypass airflow path 1232 directsone portion of the airflow to the handvac suction motor 204 bypassinghandvac cyclone chamber 184 (and optionally bypassing handvac pre-motorfilters 1176 and 1180), and second airflow path 1260 directs a secondportion of the airflow path to the second suction motor 1258 in head104.

It will be appreciated that suction motors 1258 and 204 operating inparallel may generate greater suction at surface cleaning head 104 thanany one of suction motors 1258 and 204 may generate operating alone.This may also permit supplemental cyclone bin 160 to include a pre-motorfilter 1256 having greater surface area than the pre-motor filter of thehandvac, where the additional pressure drop due to the use of twopre-motor filters may be compensated for by the enhanced suctiongeneration of the parallel motors 1258 and 204.

As exemplified in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 104a , supplementalsuction motor 160 may include a second suction motor 1258 which mayoperate in the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 103. Second suctionmotor 1258 may operate in parallel with handvac suction motor 204. Forexample, a portion of air exiting supplemental cyclone chamber 160 mayproceed to handvac suction motor 204 and a different portion may proceedto second suction motor 1258. In the illustrated embodiment, a secondairflow path 1260 from outlet passage 478 to second suction motor 1258is formed by an airflow conduit 1262.

As shown, when supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 is in airflowcommunication with handvac 112, the airflow path extends through the airtreatment member(s) of supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 (e.g.cyclone chamber 308 and pre-motor filter 1256) and then divides into twoparallel air flow paths 1232 and 1260. Bypass airflow path 1232 directsone portion of the airflow to the handvac suction motor 204 bypassinghandvac cyclone chamber 184 (and optionally bypassing handvac pre-motorfilters 1176 and 1180), and second airflow path 1260 directs a secondportion of the airflow path to the second suction motor 1258.

As shown, second suction motor 1258 may be positioned below dirtcollection chamber 140 and cyclone chamber 308 of supplemental cyclonebin assembly 160, and second suction motor 1258 may be verticallyaligned above surface cleaning head 104. This may help to lower thecenter of gravity of the apparatus 168 for enhanced stability againsttipping.

In some embodiments, a pre-motor filter may be positioned in each ofbypass airflow path 1232 and second airflow path 1260, as shown. Forexample, a pre-motor filter 1256 may be positioned in the second airflowpath 1260 between outlet passage 478 and second suction motor 1258, andbypass airflow path 1232 may direct the airflow through handvacpre-motor filters 1176 and 1180. In the illustrated embodiment,pre-motor filter 1256 is shown positioned below dirt collection chamber140 of supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160.

In alternative embodiments, air exiting cyclone chamber 308 may passthrough a common pre-motor filter before dividing between the secondairflow path 1260 and bypass airflow path 1232. For example, in FIG.104b pre-motor filter 1256 is shown positioned downstream of cyclonechamber 308 and upstream of outlet passage 478. As shown, bypass airflowpath 1232 may bypass handvac pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180. This maypermit the filtration capacity of handvac pre-motor filters 1176 and1180 to be preserved for use when supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160is disconnected from airflow communication with handvac 112. Inalternative embodiments, pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180 may bepositioned in the bypass airflow path 1232.

As exemplified in FIG. 105a dirt collection chamber 140 and cyclonechamber 308 may be removable as a sealed unit from wand 144 and secondsuction motor 1258. For example, second suction motor 1258 may bemounted or removably mounted to wand 144 so that dirt collection chamber140 and cyclone chamber 308 may be removed while second suction motor1258 remains mounted to wand 144. This may permit cleaning and/oremptying of dirt collection chamber 140 and cyclone chamber 308 (e.g.carrying the same to a garbage bin to dump their contents) withouthaving to carry second suction motor 1258 (which may have a non-trivialweight). Also, assembly 160 may be removable as a unit to convert theapparatus to a lightweight or above floor operating mode.

As exemplified in FIG. 118, the air treatment members of handvac 112 andsupplementary cyclone bin assembly 160 may operate in parallel. Forexample, handvac 112 and supplementary cyclone bin assembly 160 mayseparate dirt from mutually exclusive portions of the airflow enteringdirty air inlet 124.

In the illustrated example, wand 144 may define two airflow paths. Afirst airflow path 1428 may be formed by a first division of wand 144and may direct airflow moving therein to supplemental cyclone binassembly 160 for cleaning, and then from supplemental cyclone binassembly 160 to bypass airflow path 1232 of handvac 112. A secondairflow path 1432 may be formed by a second division of wand 144 and maydirect airflow moving therein to primary airflow path 1228 of handvac112 for cleaning by cyclone bin assembly 136.

As exemplified, dirty air entering dirty air inlet 124 may divide intotwo airflows at wand upstream end 360 and then travel through the firstand second airflow paths 1428 and 1432. Dirt may be separated from eachairflow stream by a different one of supplementary cyclone bin assembly160 and handvac 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the two airflows mayrecombine in pre-motor filter chamber 556. For example, the two airflowsmay recombine at the upstream plenum 1208 so that both airflows passthrough pre-motor filters 1176 and 1180 before exiting through suctionmotor 204. In alternative embodiments, the two airflows may recombine atthe downstream plenum 1212. For example, supplemental cyclone binassembly 160 may have its own pre-motor filter for filtering the air ofthe first airflow path 1428.

In some embodiments, surface cleaning apparatus 168 may include two ormore suction motors operating in series. In one aspect, this may enhancethe suction at dirty air inlet 124 and/or compensate for suction lossfrom additional or higher efficiency air treatment members.

Referring to FIGS. 119a and 119b , a second suction motor 1258 may bepositioned in the airflow path between dirty air inlet 124 and handvac112. For example, second suction motor 1258 may be a dirty air suctionmotor positioned in surface cleaning head 104. As shown, dirty airentering dirty air inlet 124 may be drawn through second suction motor1258 before the airflow is cleaned by supplemental dirt collectionchamber 160 and/or handvac 112 and discharged through handvac suctionmotor 204.

Referring to FIG. 120, second suction motor 1258 may be a clean airmotor positioned downstream of handvac suction motor 204. Asexemplified, motor outlet 1112 of handvac suction motor 204 may befluidly connected to second suction motor 1258 in surface cleaning head104 by an airflow path 1436. As shown, airflow path 1436 may be formedby a conduit 1440.

Referring to FIG. 121a , in some embodiments second suction motor 1258may be positioned in supplementary cyclone bin assembly 160. Forexample, second suction motor 1258 may be positioned below dirtcollection chamber 140. As shown, airflow path 1436 from motor outlet1112 may direct air from suction motor 204 to second suction motor 1258in supplementary cyclone bin assembly 160. For example, conduit 1440 mayextend from motor outlet 1112 to second suction motor 1258. Conduit 1440may take any suitable form. For example, conduit 1440 may be a rigidconduit as shown. Alternatively, FIG. 121b shows an embodiment whereconduit 1440 is a flexible hose.

In some embodiments, when handvac is connected with supplement cyclonebin assembly 160, handvac 112 may not be positioned in the airflow paththrough the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, air entering thedirty air inlet 124 of the surface cleaning head may be cleaned by thesupplementary cyclone bin assembly 160 and discharged without everpassing through handvac 112. In this way, handvac 112 may act as ahandgrip for manipulating and steering surface cleaning apparatus 168 inthe upright mode but not as an air cleaning implement.

In some embodiment, as exemplified in FIG. 122, the handvac may bebypassed when assembly 160 is attached to upright section 108. Asexemplified, air entering dirt air inlet 124 may move through wand 144to supplemental cyclone bin assembly 160 and be discharged withoutmoving through handvac 112. For example, the airflow path throughsurface cleaning apparatus 168 may direct all air from dirty air inlet124 through wand 144 to cyclone chamber 308 to outlet passage 476 tosecond airflow path 1260 to suction motor 1258 of supplemental cyclonebin assembly 160, which may discharge the air to the outsideenvironment.

Still referring to FIG. 122, in some embodiments there may be aplurality of suction motors in series. In the illustrated embodiment,surface cleaning head 104 includes a suction motor 1258 positioned inthe airflow path between dirty air inlet 124 and wand 144. Inalternative embodiments, suction motor 1258 may be the only suctionmotor in the airflow path.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understoodby persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not belimited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be giventhe broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a hand vacuum cleanercomprising: (i) a main body comprising a bottom, a handle, the main bodyhousing a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fanassembly having a suction motor axis of rotation, the handle having ahand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the handvacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface;and, (ii) a cyclone unit provided on a front end of the main body, thecyclone unit comprising a cyclone chamber having a cyclone axis ofrotation; (b) a surface cleaning head having a front end, a rear end, adirt air inlet and a cleaning head air outlet; and, (c) a rigid air flowconduit extending between the cleaning head air outlet and a hand vacuumcleaner air inlet, the rigid air flow conduit having a longitudinallyextending conduit axis which is parallel to the cyclone axis of rotationwherein the hand vacuum cleaner is removably mounted to an upstream endof the rigid air flow conduit.
 2. The surface cleaning apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is generally parallelto the longitudinally extending conduit axis.
 3. The surface cleaningapparatus of claim 2 wherein a projection of the longitudinallyextending conduit axis intersects the hand grip portion when the handvacuum cleaner is mounted to the rigid air flow conduit.
 4. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein a projection of the longitudinallyextending conduit axis intersects the hand grip portion when the handvacuum cleaner is mounted to the rigid air flow conduit.
 5. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cyclone unit has an outletconduit and the outlet conduit extends in a direction that is generallyparallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.
 6. The surface cleaningapparatus of claim 5 wherein the suction motor axis of rotation isgenerally parallel to the longitudinally extending conduit axis.
 7. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hand vacuum cleanerair inlet is provided on the cyclone unit and the rigid air flow conduitis removably attachable to the hand vacuum cleaner air inlet.
 8. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the hand vacuum cleanerair inlet comprises a hand vacuum cleaner inlet passage that isgenerally parallel to the longitudinally extending conduit axis, thehand vacuum cleaner inlet passage having an inlet end and an outlet end,the outlet end communicating with a cyclone chamber air inlet.
 9. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cyclone chamber airinlet comprises a tangential air inlet provided at the outlet end of thehand vacuum cleaner inlet passage.
 10. The surface cleaning apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner inlet passage is coaxial withthe longitudinally extending conduit axis.
 11. A surface cleaningapparatus comprising: (a) hand vacuum cleaner comprising: (i) a mainbody comprising a bottom, a handle, the main body housing a suctionmotor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having asuction motor axis of rotation, the handle having a hand grip portionthat extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner ispositioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface; and, (ii) an airtreatment member provided on a front end of the main body, the airtreatment member having a front end and a rear end, the rear end havingan air treatment member air outlet whereby air exits the air treatmentmember in a rearward direction; (b) a surface cleaning head having afront end, a rear end, a dirt air inlet and a cleaning head air outlet;and, (c) a rigid air flow conduit extending between the cleaning headair outlet and a hand vacuum cleaner air inlet, the rigid air flowconduit having a longitudinally extending conduit axis which is parallelto the rearward direction.
 12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim11 wherein the air treatment member air outlet comprises an outletconduit having an outlet conduit axis that is generally parallel tolongitudinally extending conduit axis.
 13. The surface cleaningapparatus of claim 12 wherein a projection of the longitudinallyextending conduit axis intersects the hand grip portion when the handvacuum cleaner is mounted to the rigid air flow conduit.
 14. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the suction motor axis ofrotation is generally parallel to the longitudinally extending conduitaxis.
 15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the suctionmotor axis of rotation is generally parallel to the longitudinallyextending conduit axis.
 16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11wherein the air hand vacuum cleaner air inlet is provided on thetreatment member, the rigid air flow conduit is removably attachable tothe hand vacuum cleaner air inlet and the hand vacuum cleaner air inletcomprises a hand vacuum cleaner inlet passage that is generally parallelto the longitudinally extending conduit axis.
 17. The surface cleaningapparatus of claim 16 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner inlet passage iscoaxial with the longitudinally extending conduit axis.
 18. A surfacecleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a hand vacuum cleaner comprising: (i)a main body comprising a handle, the main body housing a suction motorand fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suctionmotor axis of rotation, wherein the handle has a handle axis thatintersects the suction motor axis of rotation; and, (ii) an cyclone unitprovided on a front end of the main body, the cyclone unit comprising acyclone chamber having a cyclone axis of rotation; (b) a surfacecleaning head having a front end, a rear end, a dirt air inlet and acleaning head air outlet; and, (c) a rigid air flow conduit extendingbetween the cleaning head air outlet and a hand vacuum cleaner airinlet, the rigid air flow conduit having a longitudinally extendingconduit axis which is parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation whereinthe hand vacuum cleaner is removably mounted to an upstream end of therigid air flow conduit.
 19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18wherein the main body comprises a suction motor and fan assembly housingand the handle extends from a sidewall of the suction motor and fanassembly housing.